Streamline Your Assisted Living Administrative Tasks by Outsourcing HR Management and Payroll

Tracking government and general operations requirements to operate nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be overwhelming and time consuming. Outsourcing HR information management and payroll processing can ease administrative burdens and streamline daily payroll and HR workflows.

For multiple location nursing homes and assisted living facilities, finding a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) HRIS/Payroll system is ideal for providing corporate and location managers access to real-time data. Full-service functionality can include background checks, time and attendance, employee document management, on-boarding/off-boarding, tax credits, benefits and COBRA administration.

Streamlining your payroll and HR processes with one system allows for flexibility and standardized tracking throughout each of your nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Increase Your Assisted Living Facilities' Efficiency by Finding the Right HRIS and Payroll System

From tracking occupancy types to general patient information and inventory, with all the details that go into managing nursing homes and assisted living facilities, you shouldn't have to worry about tracking labor distribution, shift differentials and paper timesheets, too. With the right integrated HRIS and payroll system, you can spend more time focusing on your residents and spend less time on daily HR management and payroll tasks.

With the right HRIS and payroll system, outsourcing can do this for you:

• Streamline hiring and re-hiring processes with an integrated HRIS and payroll system that stores all employee data and does not purge data for active or terminated employees.


• Run background checks on your new hires and current employees to ensure the health and safety of your residents in compliance with the Fair Credit and Reporting Act (FCRA).


• Streamline wage and hour tracking for shift and part-time workers and automatically populate the payroll system with employee time data.


• Track employee data critical to HR compliance, e.g., certifications, permits, training, I-9 filings, Workers' Compensation injuries, OSHA, FMLA, EEO information, disciplinary actions, and more.

Not all HRIS and payroll systems offer 24/7, secure access along with a full suite of services and on-demand reporting. When was the last time you upgraded your payroll and HR technology?

Some questions to ask a HRIS/Payroll company when making decisions are:

1. Is your service a software as a service (SaaS)? Since SaaS based systems operate online, availability to access company data is vital. Vendors should offer 99 percent uptime for applications.


2. Do all the parts of your system integrate with each other? If not you will have to rekey all employee information into the payroll and HRIS software separately.


3. How often do you update the software? Is their additional installation or fees for upgrades or are they automatically available?


4. Do they want you to sign a long term contract or is it a pay as you go model?


5. Make sure the provider can guarantee the security of the data, especially with the sensitive nature of payroll and HR information.

What to Look For in MBA Programs - Three Important Statistics

When you look at the web site of a school offering the MBA degree, you can find a lot of information about the courses offered, the school calendar, various activities available for students, and much more. But there are important aspects of the MBA program that most web sites do not disclose. In this article we focus on several criteria that you should examine before you decide to apply to an MBA program.

Some aspects of the decision depend on your personal situation. For example, Do you plan to go to school full-time or are you employed and can consider only a part-time program? Do you have enough work and management experience to consider an Executive MBA program? Once you settle these issues, you can start looking at criteria that differentiate one program from another.

A measure that is used heavily by MBA administrator to decide whether or not to accept a student is the GMAT score. GMAT scores have a range of a low score in the 200-300 level up to scores above the 700 level (800 is a perfect score). Although there is little correlation between high GMAT scores and student success in the MBA program or success in a business career, the scores are relied heavily in admission decisions. The most selective schools have students with average GMAT scores in the 650 and above range. Less selective schools may have an average GMAT of 450 for their MBA class. The middle range is more likely in the 500-600 range.. You can generally expect that a school whose students score in the 600 average GMAT range are going to provide a good MBA education.

Consider your own GMAT score when you start hunting for programs to which you should apply. Clearly, if your score is in the 500-550 range, you may not fit well in schools that boast an average well above 600. Nor should you consider schools that report scores much lower than your own.

Another important criterion used by admission officers is students' GPA. The higher your grade point average in your previous degree program, the better your chance of admission, because the GPA indicates your ability to handle university level coursework. Applicants with grades in the 3.0-4.0 range can generally get admitted to good MBA programs, with those in the higher range going to the selective schools. Below a B average, your chances of admission to good programs is greatly diminished. Find out what the average GPA of the current MBA class is and compare it with your GPA.

It is possible, and happens quite frequently, that an applicant with a low GPA can offset it by a high GMAT score and good work experience. Admissions officers recognize that capable students who in their youth did not take their undergraduate education seriously can mature and prove themselves. This brings us a third criterion that you should consider investigating.

Most MBA programs prefer applicants with 2-4 years of work experience after their first degree. Some accept students right out of college if their GPA and GMAT scores are high. Some MBA programs are designed specifically for new college graduates without work experience. But in those programs you don't get the benefit of learning from other students who have work experience. A lot of valuable learning takes place through class interaction. Also when you graduate your job offers will be about the same as a business undergraduate gets because you have no work experience, and you've been two years out of your undergraduate field so it's hard to get work in that area.

In summary, when selecting an MBA program to which you want to apply, compare the program's average GMAT score, average GPA, and work experience of the students in the current MBA class. Use your own statistics to decide which program is the best fit for you.

Medicaid Estate Planning: Maximize Your Results

For those of you not familiar with the 2005 Tax Reduction Act, some of the provisions address specific transfers by seniors under the new Medicaid nursing home provisions. Under the new provisions, before seniors qualify for Medicare assistance into a nursing home, they must spend-down their assets. These new restriction have a 5-year look-back. The look-back used to be 3 years.

By a vote of 216-214, the U.S. House of Representatives passed budget legislation that will impose punitive new restrictions on the ability of the elderly to transfer assets before qualifying for Medicaid coverage of nursing home care. You can link to the new law Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 in PDF format, click on: http://www.rules.house.gov/109/text/s1932cr/109s1932_text.pdf. The section on the transfer provisions begins on page 222.

WHAT'S MEDICAID?

What's Medicaid? Medicaid is a government assistance program for people over the age of 65 or who are disabled. Medicaid assistance was designed for those who could not afford medical expenses (for the poor) but Medicaid has become the default for the middle class. The middle class has become the new poor.

Medicaid planning and Medicaid rules are complicated. The government is mandating a 5-year look-back on any transfers you may have made to disqualify you from entering the nursing home. Before the 2005 Tax Reduction Act it was 3 years. The transfer of any assets by the elderly has taken a notation of a "fraudulent conveyance" or in government parlance "deprivation of resources."

These new rules are spousal impoverishment programs designed to punish the healthy spouse. If one of the spouses gets sick, all resources have to be spent before you can qualify for government assistance. These new restrictive rules punish the healthy spouse leaving the healthy spouse at the mercy of welfare or her children. It's very humiliating when seniors have planned their retirement based on their ability to keep their home.

ASSETS YOU MUST SPEND DOWN

Assets that you must spend down before you can qualify for nursing home assistance. Anything you own in your name or together with your spouse. Cash, savings, checking, certificate of deposits, U.S. Savings bonds, credit union shares, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), nursing home trust funds, annuities, living revocable trust assets, any revocable Medicaid estate planning trust, real property occupied as a home, other real estate you hold as investment property or income producing property, cash surrender value of your life insurance policy, face value of your life insurance policy, household goods and effects, artwork, burial spaces, burial funds, prepaid burial if they can be canceled, motor vehicles, land contracts, life estate in real property, trailer, mobile home, business and business property, and anything else in your name or your possession.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN "FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE"?

What do you mean by "fraudulent conveyance" or "deprivation of resources." If you give away your assets and you do not receive an equal amount (value) in return, the transfer is a deprivation of resources and you have committed a fraudulent transfer, (you give your house to your children for $100.00 when the fair cash value of your home is i.e. $150,000). If you gave your house to your children for $100 sixty months (5 years) before you entered the nursing home, you "deprived your resources" from the nursing home expenses. Unwittingly, you also incurred a gift tax on the difference between the $100.00 and the $150,000 and in addition you may have cheated the government out of Estate Taxes.

HOW FEDERAL GIFT TAX APPLIES?

The gift tax rules apply to the transfer by gift of any property. You make a gift if you give property (including money), or give the use of property, or give the income from property without expecting to receive something of at least equal value in return. If you sell something at less than its full value or if you make an interest-free or reduced-interest loan, you may be making a gift.

The general gift tax rules are that any gift is a taxable gift. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. Generally, the following gifts are not taxable gifts:

- Gifts that are not more than the annual $12,000 exclusion for the calendar year beginning in 2006 (This is called the Annual exclusion for any 12 month period, see below).

- Tuition or medical expenses you pay directly to a medical or educational institution for someone,

- Gifts to your spouse,

- Gifts to a political organization for its use, and

- Gifts to charities.

- Annual gift tax exclusion. A separate annual gift tax exclusion applies to each person to whom you make a gift. For 2007, the annual gift tax exclusion is $12,000. Therefore, you generally can give up to $12,000 each to any number of people in 2007 and none of the gifts will be taxable. However, gifts of future interests cannot be excluded under the annual exclusion provisions. A gift of a future interest is a gift that is limited so that its use, possession, or enjoyment will begin at some point in the future. A federal Gift Tax return is filed on form 709 for taxable gifts in excess of the annual exclusion.

FILING A GIFT TAX RETURN

Generally, you must file a gift tax return on Form 709 if any of the following apply:

- You gave gifts to at least one person (other than your spouse) that have a fair "cash" value of more than the annual exclusion of $12,000 for the tax year 2007.

- You and your spouse are splitting a gift.

- You gave someone (other than your spouse) a gift of a future interest that he or she cannot actually possess, enjoy, or receive income from until some time in the future.

- You gave your spouse an interest in property that will be ended by some future event.

- Your entire interest in property, if no other interest has been transferred for less than adequate consideration (less than its fair "cash" value) or for other than a charitable use; or

- A qualified conservation contribution that is a restriction (granted forever) on the use of real property

HOW ESTATE TAX APPLIES?

Estate tax may apply to your taxable estate at your death. Your taxable estate is your gross estate less allowable deductions. On the date of your death, everything in your name is taxable. Take inventory of what you own: Cash, Savings and checking accounts, CDs, Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Treasuries, Exempts, Jewelry, Cars, Stamps, Boats, Paintings, and other collectibles, Real Estate ... main home, vacation spot, investment realty, your Business, Interests in other businesses, Limited Partnerships, Partnerships, Mortgages and notes receivable you hold, Retirement plan benefits, IRAs, or any amounts that you expect to inherit from others.

Many people prefer not to think about what will happen on their death, but none of us are immortal and failure to make proper plans can mean that we leave behind is a mess which has to be sorted out by our nearest and dearest, at great expense and inconvenience, at a time when they are emotionally bankrupt.

Your federal death (estate) tax, up to 55%, is based on the "fair cash value" of your property on the date of your death, not what you originally paid. State probate and death taxes are based on the "location" of your property. Thus, if you own property in different states, each state has to be probated and each will want their fair share. The only real alternative to a will arrangement is to set up a trust structure during lifetime which, with careful planning, can operate to eradicate probate delays, administration costs, and taxes as well as giving a large number of additional benefits. For these reasons the use of trusts has increased dramatically.

WHAT IS YOUR GROSS ESTATE?

Your gross estate includes the value of all property in which you had an interest at the time of death. Your gross estate also will include the following:

- Life insurance proceeds payable to your estate or, if you owned the policy, to your heirs;

- The value of certain annuities payable to your estate or your heirs; and

- The value of certain property you transferred within 3 years before your death.

WHAT IS YOUR TAXABLE ESTATE?

The allowable deductions used in determining your taxable estate include:

- Funeral expenses paid out of your estate,

- Debts you owed at the time of death,

- The marital deduction (generally, the value of the property that passes from your estate to your surviving spouse), and

- The charitable deduction (generally, the value of the property that passes from your estate to the United States, any state, a political subdivision of a state, or to a qualifying charity for exclusively charitable purposes).

HOW GIFT TAXES & ESTATE TAXES APPLY TO MY ESTATE:

If you die in the tax year of 2007, your "taxable estate exemption" is $2,000,000, your "gift tax exemption" is $1,000,000 and you have a maximum estate tax of 45%.

If you die in the tax year of 2008, your "taxable estate exemption" is $2,000,000, your "gift tax exemption" is $1,000,000 and you have a maximum estate tax of 45%.

If you die in the tax year of 2009, your "taxable estate exemption" is $3,500,000, your "gift tax exemption" is $1,000,000 and you have a maximum estate tax of 45%.

If you die in the tax year of 2010, your "taxable estate exemption" is $0.00 (i.e. it's repealed), your "gift tax exemption" is $0.00 (i.e. it's repealed as well) and you have a maximum estate tax of 55%.

13 times in 32 years, congress has changed the rules. Congress is always tinkering with the "Death Transfer Tax." For more information on what is included in your gross estate and the allowable deductions, see Form 706.

HOW TO AVOID THESE UNPLEASANT RESULTS?

You can avoid all of the above unpleasant results and filing requirements with an irrevocable trust implemented 60 months before you plan to qualify for the nursing home.

By repositioning your assets (transferring your assets) from you to an irrevocable trust, you will NO longer own the assets:

- you don't qualify for the probate process, and

- you do not have to file an estate tax return,

- because on the date you qualify for the nursing home you do NOT own any assets,

- at the time of your death you do NOT own any assets for the probate process,

- and at the date of your death you do NOT own any assets to report on your estate tax return.

Senior Assistance - Identifying Needs While Maintaining Dignity, Independence and Participation

Discussing issues regarding assisted living or long-term care services, home safety, personal finances, personal hygiene requirements and funeral arrangements is not an easy conversation to have but it is an important one if you want to help your loved ones ease into successful retirement options. When implementing the changes it must leave your loved one feeling that their dignity is intact, they still have the freedom to make their own choices and are actively participating in the process.

These issues are becoming more and more relevant because Canada Statistics is showing the senior population is growing at a rapid pace with 25% of our population being in the 70+-age range by the year 2016. What this means is many of us will be finding ourselves in the position of dealing with these issues while balancing current workloads and family responsibilities.

In talking with seniors, they too feel the inadequacy of not being able to do as much as they used too. They recognize they have a hard time asking for assistance because they do not want to be a burden. They feel embarrassed about the betrayal of loss of their bodily functions and the awkwardness of receiving help in ways they used to do in raising their children. They know they need help but feel most uncomfortable asking for it. After all, they have been the leaders and doers for most of our lives and taking a step back is not easy to do. The fear of loss of dignity weighs heavy on the heart.

So how can you assist your loved one with the least amount of emotional turmoil and the greatest level of success? Remain focused on the importance of your loved ones need to maintain their dignity, independence, and need to participate when exploring the available options of home health care.

Ask your loved one what they think they need, how much they need and when they think they will be needing it in order to help them to retain their dignity. Great listening skills and repeating back what you have heard is a very important and a special gift you can give them. The rewards, in the long term, will be open lines of communication.

It is vital to understand that the moment we come out of the womb we embark on our life long road of independence. The aging process attempts to remove this from us creating emotions of depression and fear. Each of us gains our sense of self worth from the tasks and activities we are able to accomplish. Maintaining this, even on a small scale, is very important to good mental health and maintaining a semblance of dignity. Ask your loved ones what they feel they can still do, how much of it they can do, and what assistance they would feel comfortable with to maintain their independence. Add your own concerns, based upon observations, and work together on a plan to resolve all challenges in the most effective manner.

Finally, have your loved ones participate in the role of their own care to the level they can manage. They may not be able to make an entire meal but maybe they can still sit at a table and assist in the preparations. They may not be able to lift heavy boxes but they can still direct where they want the boxes to go. They may not be able to walk a marathon but maybe a walk in the park or simply up and down the driveway to retrieve the mail is still manageable.

Maintaining strong social interactions and the awareness in their own abilities is critical in maintaining strong mental health. Learning to do for our loved ones only what is needed, not what they can still do for themselves, removes their fear of loss of control. This will go a long way to helping loved ones in maintaining personal independence for as long a time as possible.

Nursing Shortage in the US

The aging population of the United States and improvements in health care technology has created a drastic nursing shortage in the US. Other factors that have created an increased demand for nurses include the overall population growth experienced by the country and the resulting need for health care services and a decrease in the number of new nursing students currently in school.

The diminishing number of nurses has lead to the creation of good paying jobs that are difficult to find given the current economic conditions. Thanks to the dramatic improvements in medical technology in the past decade, there is a growing need for people who are both skilled and able to work in specialized positions such as managed care, hospice, skilled nursing, and home-care.

These issues, combined with the decrease in skilled nurses and growth in health care jobs means that hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, and many other institutions are desperately seeking employees who are able to provide specialized care.

There is a large body of evidence that suggests that the shortage in the US is rapidly approaching a critical level. Recent research shows that the average age of RNs has increased to 42 between 1983 and 1998, and within ten years, almost half of working nurses will be over age fifty. As those nurses leave the work force, the supply of registered nurses is projected to be as much as twenty percent below demand in just ten years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the available jobs for registered nurses will grow by more than twenty percent in the next two years, yet the number of new nursing students is steadily dropping.

So what does the nursing shortage in the US mean for those considering becoming nurses? In order to attract nurses, many health care facilities are offering significant benefits including large signing bonuses and larger than ever salaries for nurses qualified to work in specialty care areas. Even the government has recognized the potential effects of the nursing shortage, and has begun offering programs that make it more affordable than ever to complete a nursing degree.

As the nursing shortage continues to grow, the demand for nurses of all levels is likely to grow as well, raising the salaries of nurses as well. In fact, some areas of the country are seeing the salaries in specialty nursing fields such as Nurse Anesthetist and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner rise to six figures- or more.

The demand for nurses, particularly those with skills in specialty fields, shows no sign of stopping. While many jobs are outsourced and most industries are experiencing layoffs and salary drops, the health care field continues to expand. A growing number of schools are increasing their offerings for nurses, providing more opportunities for continuing education and programs designed to meet the needs of working adults.

The nursing shortage has created jobs in one of the most personally and financially rewarding sectors of the economy, and those who enter the field now will likely see the most job security of any career in the country despite changes in the economy.

Geriatric Social Workers - Working With the Elderly Population

A geriatric social worker is an exciting and challenging career working with senior citizens. Many social workers in the geriatric field have to deal with clients that are experiencing depression, memory issues, anxiety and schizophrenia. The clients can have many challenges due to health issues as well as death of loved ones as well as facing their own mortality.

Many social workers in the geriatric field have a bachelor degree as well as a two year degree from a masters program that gives them the msw degree. The training for this field will provide thorough knowledge of mental health and aging such as medical knowledge, patient care and communication skills. There are opportunities available for both the bsw and msw degrees. If you are working in an assisted living facility, you generally need the master's degree in social work. For private practice, be aware that many people are on fixed incomes and have medicare so it is important to apply to be a medicare provider and get the npi number.

Some settings to work with the elderly include community organizations, assisted living facilities, senior residential centers, hospitals, state psychiatric centers and family service agencies. Some home health agencies now hire social workers to go into homes because many senior citizens are able to live alone in their home but require counseling, discussion of their concrete needs and companionship. Elderly clients often don't want to burden their children with their concerns and a counselor can help the person recognize it's important to let their kids know of their needs or contact them.

Some other job options for those with msws in the geriatrics field include the organizing and planning of programs for senior citizens. People who work in this field must have a strong love for working with the elderly and be able to deal with the multiple issues, worries and moods of their clients. This position requires a mature and compassionate person to work in this field.

In addition, this service is very helpful to seniors that don't have a lot of help from family members. The main goal of a geriatric social worker is to help elderly clients to become comfortable with aging and live a productive lifestyle.

Isolation in Nursing Homes

One of the biggest appeals of nursing homes is that they are big, open communities where elderly people can receive care and assistance while living in community with others. Often, nursing home patients become close friends with their fellow residents.

Nursing home attendants are often responsible for trying to facilitate this community feel. They must communicate with their patients, making them feel at home, and organize community events for the patients to get to know one another and entertain themselves.

Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Some attendants in assisted living facilities are abusive and isolate their patients from other residents. Additionally, the nursing home staff members may also neglect an elderly patient, refusing to talk to him or her entirely.

This may occur out of frustration, laziness, or a general lack of interest in the job. Sadly, this neglect that is so easy for nursing home attendants to commit may have serious, and even deadly, consequences for the affected residents.

It can be difficult to tell when an individual has suffered emotional abuse, especially when that abuse is isolation. The individual will likely show no physical signs, and he or she may not seem much different personality-wise either.

Many elderly individuals will not report instances of emotional abuse to their families out of fear or due to an inability to speak or act. As such, families should be very attentive to the care that their loved ones receive. Families that suspect that isolation is occurring should do everything they can to fix the problem.

Often, families will have to resort to legal action. When this is the case, families are advised to seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury lawyer, who can help families build and fight their cases.

What Do You Know About Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation and Care Centers?

When you were growing up, did you ever hear anyone say things like, I do not ever want to go into a nursing home; never let me live in a nursing home, and things like that. I am guessing that as a child and as a teenager, you never quite understood their reluctance about this particular kind of living or residence. Probably, you fgured that nursing is a good thing for people who need that kind of care, and home, that sounds quite inviting. But most likely, you never understood why some things were judged like that. After all, those who talked like that were juding all nursing homes as bad places to live. Most likely you have even heard some say they would rather die than live in a nursing home.

Very recently, I learned what the problem was and is regarding nursing homes and the list of the worst nursing homes. And I understood that the problem was and is universal and quite global. The truth is that hardly any senior citizens or disabled individuals want to live in nursing homes. And, now to make matters worse than that, I have discovered some of the many reasons why so many seniors and disabled individuals are dead-set against living in nursing homes.

These are some reasons why some flatly refuse to live in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers:

1. Some of the rehabilitation centers are very horrible places.


2. Some of them are understaffed and some are overcrowded.


3. Sometimes on some floors, you can smell a stench of vomit and or urine, throughout the floor.


4. Sometimes the residents are ignored and not being properly taken


5. Sometimes the nursing homes try to gain financially from some residents at the same time while they are not giving the proper care.


6. Sometimes there are restricted hours and days when visitors are not allowed to visit.


7. Sometimes residents are punished for having medical problems.


8. Sometimes residents are forced to wear diapers against their wills.

And these are just a few reasons why some seniors and some disabled individuals refuse to live in nursing homes and in rehabilitation and care centers. While this article is not about any particular, specific nursing home or rehabilitation and care center, you can be assured that the reasons listed above are very real and that the reasons listed above were actually given by some nursing home residents, patients and by some visitors and families.

If you are looking for a nursing home or rehabilitation and care center, you need to realize that even if the one that you are choosing is not on the list of worst rehabilitation and care centers or nursing homes, that does not mean that the facility that you are inspecting is a good facility. Sometimes all it means is that the facility has just not made the list yet.

Thoroughly check out all places that you might be transferred to. Ask for tours of the entire facility and ask if they will give you an unscheduled tour. Remember that when someone makes an appointment for you to tour the place, you are only seeing what they want you to see. It is on those unscheduled tours that you will learn so much more about the facilities as they really are.

An Introduction the Principles of Yin and Yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine

One of the main principles of Oriental medicine are two opposing forces, Yin and Yang. They are represented in the common Yin/Yang symbol by a circle that intertwines with the light and dark elements. This design is symbolic of the pattern and flow of the universe that encompasses the constant interchange between these two forces of life and death. Yin and Yang are two polarities which characterize the opposites such as black and white, night and day, cold and hot, sweet and sour, left and right, and up and down. They are cyclic and circular offering both extremes on either side of the spectrum, each mutually creating the other. The Chinese seek to understand this flow of opposites that exist in and outside of the human structure.

We need both the Yin elements and Yang elements to exist. We can inhale but we also have to exhale to complete the cycle of breathing. The interconnection between the two is what gives us life and ultimate vitality. One must exist with the other to provide for constant balance. When there is disharmony in the human body, for example, there is always an disruption of Yin/Yang equilibrium.
The Chinese apply this concept in their practice of martial arts, which is simply regarded as "the art of living". Once you understand these underlying concepts of opposing for forces, they can be applying to physical movements that represent this circular balance, yielding and offering force in just the right balance as in Tai Chi or Karate.

A fundamental philosophy that is a backbone to Oriental medicine is that no one outside can heal Your body. The body is simply reminded and assisted in accessing it's own inner wisdom to repair and rebuild itself. The body is one thing, one whole and you can not affect one thing without affecting all of it. It is the Chinese tradition to also embrace not only left brain thinking with logic and rationale, but also the right side with emotion and intuitiveness.

It is the work of the Chinese practitioner to help to bring the bodies back into balance with their own natural cycles. In the world change is inevitable. But learning how to flow with change is the key to a happy life. This is an important concept for the only thing that ever changes is the fact the "everything changes". Learning how to flow in the body like the mountain stream no matter the change occurring around us, is the art and practice of true meditation.

Human being are an integral part of the universal forces. In the same way that trees are a part of the forest they live in and subject to the laws of nature they must adapt to in order to thrive. Nothing is completely Yin and Yang, everything is composed of both in varying degrees. But nothing is neutral, there is either Yin or Yang predominating. This is the process of change. Things in nature change all the time. There is nothing completely still and permanent, day to night and the cyclical changes of the seasons for example. The human system and design is much like that of the natural world, composing the forces of Yin and Yang within each bodily function and organ. The art of understanding this concept of energy flow, movement within the body is the means to understanding how to apply Traditional Oriental Medicine in the most appropriate way.

Cruise Line Assisted Living Facility

The aging process for many seniors often leaves them feeling frustrated because what was once an easy task can often become difficult to manage on their own and their independence often comes into question during these times. For many their loved ones may have to think of placing them in assisted living or the senior may decide that this is the next step in their life.

The idea of assisted living to someone who has been independent most of their lives can be a shock, but there is an alternative that can make this transition both easier and more tasteful than in the past and does not cost much more and allows the senior to continue to be independent.

The cruise line industry has been the hardest hit by recent economic events and while many still travel by car, air, train or bus the cruise lines have been viewed as a cumbersome way to travel and is just too expensive compared to other methods of transport.

That is why the cruise lines have been busy looking at other options in new niche markets available to them that will help them maintain their revenues and stay a viable travel option for many. The idea they have been considering is becoming an alternative assisted living service for seniors.

The cost of the two options is comparable and one does not cost any more than the other, either the cruise or multiple cruises compared to living in and assisted living facility.

The medical facilities aboard ship are the best services available and many perform geriatric medical services to the seniors who do take cruises and travel this way. The food is also prepared each day so it is a viable option for seniors.

Instead of a stagnant one room apartment in an assisted living home, the senior has the benefit of living aboard a cruise ship and seeing the world at large with all the comforts of home and all the luxury they can handle. They can experience different worlds and cultures during their travels. Something that being on land cannot offer them.

For these reasons one should consider placing their loved one on a cruise line's assisted living facility as an option and benefit to the senior.

Online Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Patients in a variety of medical facilities have daily interaction with nursing assistants. In most instances patients and assistants build a strong friendship due to the constant contact. Learning how to perform job duties can be done through online nursing assistant training programs.

Enrollment in an accredited online learning program will help students learn about the daily activities of the workplace which can consist of working with patients by serving meals, making beds, helping them eat, dressing them, and bathing them.

• Medical related activities will have an assistant taking a patient's vitals, which includes temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.


• Online training will prepare students to handle job responsibilities as well as the stress of working with and monitoring patients.


• Nursing assistants work primarily in nursing homes, assisted living homes, and hospitals.

Training is highly recommended because more employers are requiring their employees to be certified as a nurse assistant prior to being hired.

Students can take online classes prior to entering a program to prepare them for the skills they will need to know. A first aid and CPR course can help them succeed in a program. Certificate programs vary a little from college to college but the general education requirements are pretty standard. Programs will range from six to twelve weeks and include coursework on medical terminology, pharmacology, acute care, home aid, and more. A state only recognizes students as certified after 75 hours of official training. Upon completion of coursework and clinical experience a student will have to take a certification exam in order to gain their certificate. Nursing assistant education requirements are different for some states. Students should check state requirements so they can enroll in the correct program.

Online nursing assistant courses teach student's foundational concepts and procedures in areas they will directly work in. A certified nursing assistant theory course explores issues that relate to the daily activities a working professional will complete in their day-to-day work duties. Students will learn about hygiene management, infection control, and data collection. Medical basics will be learned by taking campus based courses in order to gain experience in taking blood pressures and drawing a patient's blood. In an acute care course students address practical areas of their work. Topics include the social, psychological, and physical demands of a patient. Basic nursing tools like problem solving, interviewing, and decision-making will be implemented. Probably one of the most effective and useful courses a student completes is their clinical course. Graduates of a nursing assistant program will have learned to work directly with patients under the direction of a registered nurse. Settings for learning include hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and doctor's offices. These types of courses require an individual to recall the concepts and procedures learned in the online class and apply those skills to a real patient. Real work experience provides many students with the confidence they need to step into the profession.

Employment is expected to rise 18 percent over the next eight years. Gaining an online education in the field will pay off. Students should consider the growth rate and how that will positively affect their annual income when deciding if working through an accredited program in this area is for them. Accreditation comes from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools ( http://www.abhes.org/ ) and other agencies and is awarded to online nursing assistant schools and colleges that meet the criteria for a quality education.

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

Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

Why Continuing Education Is Important

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

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

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

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

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

Helping The Elderly - Becoming a Social Worker for Seniors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Certified Nursing Assistant - A Closer Look

When most people hear the term "Certified Nursing Assistant" (better known as CNA), the first thing that comes to mind is a career in a nursing home. While it's true that this is probably the industry's biggest demand for CNAs, there are other places to use this certification. But what exactly is a CNA, and how can it work for you?

The Certified Nursing Assistant is a person who aids in the daily care of those needing nursing care. Think there's nothing to the job? Think again.

One of the first things many nurses say they learned is that nursing isn't about dispensing medicines, giving shots or even taking orders from the doctor. It's all about learning to listen to your patients. The CNA training takes that to a very basic level and the job of the CNA is often vital to the effective medical treatment of other health care professionals. For example, the CNA who spends the most time with a nursing home patient may be the first to notice a change in that person's attitude that reflects a serious medical condition or a reaction to a change in their drug regimen. And while some people are simply observant enough to notice those kinds of things, learning what to do with the information is a vital part of the training for the Certified Nursing Assistant.

But is there anything else you can do with CNA training other than work in a nursing home? CNAs are also commonly called on for home visitation. Typically, these are older people or those with disabilities who have trouble performing routine daily tasks. The CNA may help the person get a bath or handle other chores. Think it's not that important. Consider it from the view of the person receiving the help. Without the services of that CNA, that person would likely be moved to a nursing home, rehabilitation facility or be forced to live with relatives - devastating for some people.

Some daycares and schools also employ CNAs to help handle minor health issues at school. While these CNAs don't dispense medication or do any of those jobs handled by a nurse, they do use their training to help children with health issues and help the school deflect problems before they become serious issues. A CNA for a school will quickly learn to spot infections and to help curb the spread of problems such as ringworm.

CNAs may also work in rehabilitation programs or similar facilities. While licensed professionals will do therapy, the CNAs often have more time to devote to patients, meaning they develop relationships and become an integral part of the recovery process.

If you've considered a job in health care - especially in nursing - the CNA could be just what you need. You can work in the industry while you're working on your degree in nursing as an LPN or RN. On the other hand, you may very well find that a Certified Nursing Degree isn't a stepping stone to some other career, but is a rewarding career in itself.

If the allure of a nursing career appeals to you, check out the links below.

Top Five Things an Injured Worker Should Do in Texas

1. IMMEDIATELY REPORT INJURY

If you are seriously injured, reporting the injury needs to be your top priority. In Texas, an injured worker has 30 days to report an on-the job injury to a supervisor (different for repetitive injury like carpal tunnel). Report the injury to any supervisor or to a designated person for reporting injuries and make sure there is a written report that accurately reports the circumstances (date, time, mechanism of injury) of the accident and resulting injury. If your employer refuses to accept your report of injury and file a claim, you can report your own injury to the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation by faxing a Form 41 to the Division of Workers' Compensation (Form 41 can be found online at The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation website). If you do not have internet access, the Workers' Compensation Division can mail you a Form 41 and can be reached by calling (800) 252-7031.

Often times, workers who get injured are concerned about reporting a minor on-the-job injury due to potential retaliation by the employer. This often leads to huge problems down the road if the injury is more serious than was first thought. A great way to handle this situation is to report the injury and get a written report of injury (get a copy and make sure it's accurate) but tell your boss that your injury is minor and you might be fine. As long as you have reported the injury to your supervisor, your employer can hold off sending the information to the insurance company or to the Division of Workers' Compensation. In fact, you should tell your employer, "I'm injured, write it up but hold off on filing the claim until I know if it's serious." As long as the employer reports the injury to the Division within a year of the injury, the claim is timely as long as the injured worker has reported the claim to a supervisor or designated person within 30 days of the injury.

2. FIND WITNESSES

Finding a witness is often the key to a successful workers' compensation claim. If there were no witnesses, make sure you get the names of people who came up to offer assistance. Since the employee has the burden of proof in Texas to prove that an on-the-job accident occurred, a witness can make the difference between a "he said-she said" type of situation where the worker says, "I'm injured" and the employer says, "He/she is not injured." Often, on a non-witnessed accident, an employer will strengthen their defense by bringing several co-workers who testify no accident or injury ever happened! I have won claims even on a non-witnessed accident where a co-worker testifies who walked up shortly after the accident occurred. This person didn't witness the actual event but testifies for example, "I heard a bang, a shout of pain and I walked up and John was writhing in pain with a board on the floor."

3. DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR EMPLOYER HAS WORKERS' COMPENSATION

In Texas, an employer can go without workers' compensation. Referred to as a non-subscriber, an employer without workers' compensation loses any common law defenses against an injured worker and can be sued by an injured worker for negligence! While in many circumstances, an employee is better off with workers' compensation (i.e. minor injuries, sprains/strains, etc.), if an employee is seriously injured and an employer or co-employer was negligent, an employee may be better off without workers' compensation. Referred to as a non-subscriber, an employer without workers' compensation typically has an ERISA plan with a Summary Plan Description to help pay for medical bills for an injured worker. The employer may also have an insurance policy if it is sued by an employee for negligence.

In Texas, one-third of all employers do not have workers' compensation insurance. Some very notable employers, like Home Depot, Target, and Kroger do not have workers' compensation insurance. Your employer is required by law to post a sign in a break room or common area stating whether they do or do not have workers' compensation but this law is often ignored. To determine whether your employer has workers' compensation, you can contact the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation at (800) 252-7031 or you can look up your employer's status online at The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation website.

If your employer is a non-subscriber (does not have workers' compensation), there are situations under Texas law when you may have a good claim and other situations when you may not have a good claim. Make sure you talk to an attorney that specializes in work injuries, particularly non-subscriber work injuries.

4. PICK YOUR OWN DOCTOR AND FULLY REPORT INJURY

Whether your employer has workers' compensation or not, they will often try to send you to the company doctor (often Concentra, CareNow, Healthsouth, etc.). You have the right under workers' compensation to choose your own doctor (must be in network for network claim). Make sure you choose your own doctor but call the doctor in advance and make sure that doctor will take workers' compensation insurance (insurance companies have made it very difficult for doctors to collect money so many doctors refuse to take workers' compensation patients). If you went to a doctor that you no longer like, a Change of Treating Doctor Form can be filed which will allow you to change your treating doctor (as long as you have a legitimate reason). This Form 53 can also be downloaded online at The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation website.

When speaking to your doctor, make sure you accurately describe the facts of the accident and fully describe the injured body parts. Also provide an accurate history regarding prior injuries, medications, etc. It is a good idea to go back over what the doctor has written down and make sure it is correct. On several occasions, I have lost cases due to an inaccurate history or the doctor does not accurately write down what is said about the facts of the accident, date, time, mechanism of injury, and injured body parts. Ask the doctor to let you look at what is written down. If the doctor will not let you look at his notes, ask him to read them to you or go back over the accident facts, injured body parts, and history to insure accuracy for him and for you.

5. GO BACK TO WORK IF YOU CAN, EVEN ON LIGHT DUTY

If you can work, work. If you are put on light duty and your employer has a light duty position for you to work, take it and work. Sitting back and relying upon the system to save you can often be a very frustrating position and can lead to severe financial distress including bankruptcy and foreclosure of homes and repossession of cars. However, if you are put at light duty and your employer tries to make you work outside of your work restrictions, you can go back to your doctor and inform the doctor that the employer has you working outside of your work restrictions. The doctor can then take you fully off work or increase your restrictions or simply contact the employer and request that the restrictions be strictly followed.

While it may seem like paid time off, an injured worker who unnecessarily takes off from work risks getting fired, having their claim denied and therefore delayed, and risks further retaliation by the employer. However, an employer cannot fire you or retaliate against you in any way for filing a workers' compensation claim or hiring an attorney and any worker who feels like the subject of such retaliation may have a viable employment claim.

Obviously, there are many more steps to filing, handling and hopefully successfully resolving a workers' compensation claim. If you are unsure whether your claim is being handles fairly or not, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion from an attorney who handles workers' compensation.

Senior Communities - Active Living for Old Age

Maintaining an active lifestyle after retirement is what every elderly person aims for. One great way to stay active even at old age is to live in senior communities, which will take care of you and your needs. Aging can be very difficult for some people who think that they will become inactive and that this will increase their dependency on others. However, if elderly people go into retirement living, they maintain their active lifestyle for years to come.

Senior homes offering active lifestyles are communities where social activities, independent living, and maintenance are there for aging people. In these communities, people who share common interests live together and have all of their facilities and amenities nearby. When searching for senior communities, it is important for you to assess the individual needs of the person so that he or she can enjoy old age.

Seniors who remain physically active after retirement keep their bodies strong, healthy, and fit. Staying fit is key to a long and happy life, so retirement living is ideal for senior citizens who want to grow old happily. Moving out of homes and getting into senior communities that provide an active lifestyle is a great way to keep a routine which will enhance your life expectancy. Senior citizens who believe in active living can enjoy various kinds of recreation and exercise, like indoor and outdoor pools, exercise rooms, walking and biking trails, hobby shops, arts and crafts rooms, cooking classes, lounging areas, rooms to play cards and games, and movie night. Some of the best senior homes offer great activities including adventure trips and other special events at night.

For individuals who are passionate about maintaining an active lifestyle, senior communities are an ideal place, offering a variety of recreational things and other activities that keeps the elderly entertained and involved physically as well as mentally. As the number of elderly people who want to remain active even after retirement is increasing, more and more retirement living options are emerging, offering different kinds of interesting activities. Before selecting senior homes that offer active living, it is important to visit the facility first and learn more about the environment and the kinds of activities offered. If those activities interest you, then you should consider that facility. To be on the move is essential to keep yourself fit and healthy, so shopping centers and grocery stores are located nearby. This way, senior residents can walk and buy everything they need.

Making a list of the specific needs and wants of the senior person is also very important so that they can enjoy their retirement living. Senior homes offering active living are more in demand these days and if senior citizens want to improve their lives, then active living is the best choice.

Modern Technological Innovations Make It Possible For Seniors to Remain In Their Homes

Imagine being able to care for your aging parent using your cellphone. New technology is breaking ground to do just that. In a poll, 75% of the seniors asked admitted that they would rather use whatever means available if it meant they could stay in their own homes longer. In addition, the enormous influx of retirees getting ready to hit their golden years is going to push hospital and nursing facility care expenses higher and higher due to increased demand. This generation of seniors is also the first that is comfortable using the new technologies and won't hesitate to take the opportunities that present themselves.

Many industries are taking part in the research and development of this new elder care system. These include hospitals and doctors, insurance companies, technology developers, home builders, and wireless companies. It is estimated that the new equipment could generate $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion making it a worthwhile pursuit for both businesses and elderly patients.

This type of innovative technology is meant to help seniors deal with the rising cost of healthcare and the fact that insurance companies are increasingly opposed to allowing patients to remain in the hospital when they suffer from maladies that can be both monitored and treated while they are living in their own homes. The health care seniors receive is expected to measurably improve with up-to-the-minute care. However, the situation isn't all win-win. Concerns include worries about maintaining patient privacy, compensation for doctors, and the effect on the funding of nursing homes are high on the list of snafus everyone involved is working on.

The new devices are being created making it easy for seniors to monitor their weight, heart rate, and blood pressure readings from home. Information is then uploaded to a database which will be read by the doctor. Any changes can alert the doctor to possible complications which will allow him to change medications, request and appointment, or dispatch an ambulance as he feels is necessary.

The federal government, grappling with the problem of underfunding for Medicare programs are heartily in favor of the developing technology. They estimate that more than $25 million is spent every year on just the readmission of patients to hospitals and nursing facilities and believe that costs could be cut by 75% if these people could be monitored at home instead of having to be admitted to hospitals so often.

It's amazing what new technology can do, and this sounds like a system that needs to be explored further and expanded to cover all seniors with medical issues who are still living in their own homes. Instead of rising medical costs collapsing the Medicare system, we could look forward to lowered costs and fewer claims.

Nurse Practitioners - What Are Your Options?

Give an edge to you career by joining the fleet of nurse practitioners. Enjoy a highly rewarding career in healthcare where the responsibilities are similar to a doctor. Becoming a nurse practitioner does not require extensive training and education like physicians, but they are equally liable as a physician for patient care.

The main difference between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner is that latter has completed master's degree and thus can write out scripts for medications whereas registered nurse cannot. Places where there is no availability of a physician or where patients require skilled and experienced care, nurse practitioners are in high demand.

Many hospitals hire their own fleet of practitioners as they are less expensive than physicians. Because of this reason, there is great opportunity for nurses in many hospitals and different healthcare settings. Furthermore, patients can get immediate care through a nurse practitioner as they do not have to wait for their primary care physician's appointment to get evaluated.

A nurse practitioner is able to evaluate and provide treatment for multiple branches of medicine. They can prescribe treatment for psychiatric patients as well as for general medicine. A practitioner can be consulted for physical exam, well-child visits, vaccination shots, etc. They assist physicians in minor surgeries and emergency procedures.

They provide can provide pre- and postnatal care. Like an internist, they can be consulted for any health problem whether chronic or acute. A practitioner conducts thorough physical exams and writes script for medications and/or for physical or occupational therapies.

These kind of nurses are in high demand in all patient care settings, e.g., hospitals, urgent clinics, emergency rooms, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice care, etc. Their contribution to patient's recovery is crucial because of their vast experience as a registered nurse and extensive personal skills of counseling patients.

Since they are readily available and have concern for patient's recovery, patient receives focused, patient-oriented care by a nurse practitioner. If you want to become a practitioner, you have to become a registered nurse first. Therefore, you will need to do bachelor's program followed by a Master's of Science degree in Nursing.

This is a two-year program which includes treatment and patient care management. Study courses which are offered through this program are anatomy, medicolegal issues, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, and pharmacology. After completion of this program, a registered nurse becomes a nurse practitioner who is now capable of counseling patient, doing their physical examination, and writing prescriptions.

Like physicians, practitioners also have specialization. For this, you have to select your choice of specialization during your master's program. There are different specialization fields available to choose from like gynecology, pediatrics, family practice, psychiatry, pulmonary, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics, podiatry, etc. Selection of specialty allows your master's program to be oriented to the specialty of your choice.

Even newly graduates residents have to work and assist physicians and experienced nurse practitioners in various medical settings in order to gain practical experience. After completion of your master's degree, you can take up license nurse practitioner exam. In addition, there are many great opportunities after becoming a nurse practitioner, which you can grab and further advance your career.

You can also apply and take up national certifications and accreditation tests to outshine your presence in the healthcare field. Since physicians have shown their reluctance to provide primary care to patients, nurse practitioners have been extremely beneficial not only in providing primary care to the patients, but also in providing focused, patient-oriented care.

Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Homes - Communication Tips

As a long term care administrator I have experienced many family members over the years that have been great advocates for their loved ones in my assisted living and skilled nursing communities. I have also seen many who have worked hard at being an advocated but who have been less than effective.

It is important for families to be champions for their loved ones care and quality of life. So I would like to offer 4 quick tips to help increase your effectiveness.

1. Write vs. Talk - When an issue arises that requires your attention you can get really good results by putting your concerns in writing. A written letter hand delivered to the administrator requesting resolution and or a meeting is a powerful communication tool.

A letter generally requires a written response as a minimum which means the resolution will be well thought out and thorough. Along the same lines it is a good idea for you to understand what the grievance policy is for the community and use as needed.
 
2. E-mail Exchanges - By developing an e-mail relationship with the administrator you get a deeper level of access and increased frequency of communication. My only caution is to use with restraint.
 
3. Company Policy vs. Licensing Regulation - At times family members will request things the facility refuses to do. Pay attention to the reasons given. If they say it's against "company policy" you may have some flexibility. However if your request is a violation of "licensing regulations" there may not be much that can be done.
 
4. The Good and the Bad - There are few things in life that are all good or all bad and senior care communities are no exception. A great way to ensure your concerns are taken seriously is to make sure you communicate the things that the community is doing well from time to time. When a family member only communicates negativity it is hard to take their concerns seriously over time. Try and balance your comments to be more effective.

These tips are great ways to improve the effectiveness of your communication with any given long term care community. Please check out my blog for more great information on helping families navigate assisted living and skilled nursing.

Positive Affirmations - The Antidote to Negative Thinking

Do you find yourself caught up in negative self-talk? Are emotions like frustration, sadness, and regret all too familiar to you? Do you tend to blame others for everything that is "wrong" in your life?

The bad news is you are suffering from the condition of Negative Thinking! The good news is: you can be "cured"!

You may have noticed the economy is not the best it could be. There are many negative forces at work every day and news reports are quick to cover them all. But your life does not have to reflect the depth of all that doom and gloom. You can distance yourself from the emotion of that negativity and just slide yourself into a sublime, positive-feeling place of your own creation.

For part of my life I believed that negative thinking was genetic, and that I unfortunately had inherited the DNA coding for it. For a long period of time, I was resigned to accept the way I was as my "fate or misfortune".

It took a lengthy journey of inner work to overcome the negativity, through years of personal transformation and enlightened self-discovery. I am at the glorious point where I have effectively integrated positive living and thinking practices into my life. Do I think happy affirmation-type thoughts all the time? Absolutely not, but I have learned to focus my thinking for longer and longer periods on better-feeling thoughts. The result is definitely a better-feeling me!

The concept of positive thinking and affirmations is not a brand new one. "You've got to accentuate the positive; Eliminate the negative. And latch on to the affirmative; Don't mess with Mister In-Between" are the words to an old Johnny Mercer tune. Maybe Mr. Mercer was ahead of his time. His upbeat message was certainly right on target for joyful living!

It is in today's technological age where information is so easily shared that these enlightening principles are available to everyone. Anyone can learn to experience greater happiness and an increased sense of peace with the world.

Two of the amazing "tools" that have assisted my journey are Positive Affirmations and Law of Attraction principles. The former actually helps bring the latter into action. Positive Affirmations are those wonderful inspiring statements that we say to ourselves to bring more joy into our experience. They are the "antidote" to all the negative statements that often dominate our thinking. They are empowering, uplifting statements which help raise our personal vibrations. As our vibrations become lighter, brighter, they begin to attract other positive aspects into our own experience. As we live more fully with our affirming statements, our realities change for the better.

Here are some affirmations for you right now, to start you promptly on your better-feeling path. Say them aloud (if possible) and say them often! Focus on feeling the positive emotions carried within these statements:

I think about my body in positive ways. I am filled with energy and vitality!
I have everything I need to attain all my goals.
I find the good in every situation.
I relax into the flow of life and trust that the Universe will provide all I need.
My inner wisdom guides me toward the best outcomes.

Affirmation, Attitude, Action:
Money flows more and more easily into my life. I am worthy of supreme happiness and great prosperity. I welcome the supportive guidance from an abundant Universe.

Slow Death Inside of Nursing Homes - Part Two

This is an article about some of the ways that some nursing homes and rehab and care centers handle paperwork, contracts, and admission agreements with residents, patients and families:

There are some nursing homes in the state that will have over-lengthy admissions agreements, some of them are thirty and forty pages long. And with some of the unscrupulous ones, they will wait until after the families have left to get the residents alone. And only when they alone, and usually somehow incapacitated or in no condition to read and sign long twenty and thirty page agreement documents, and they will have them sign a few papers. They do not permit nor give time to the resident to read or understand what the resident is signing, and when they finally realize what they signed, it seems to be too late for the resident. You can be in this posiition if you are unaware of how these places operate. There are ways that you can try and protect yourself from this incorrect paperwork and protect yourself from signing papers that you do not understand and even paperwork that you never even had in your hand, or know what the papers say. Some experiences are totally horrible and unbelieveable beyond description. How horrible?Remember The Snake Pit ? You probably can not even imagine how horrible.

Trust your gut instinct and never sign anything without family members present and without your family members reading, ahead of time, those documents that need to be signedProtect yourself to the best of your ability by using these ideas, and also consult with a lawyer for legal advice for all paperwork and procedures:

• Before you or anyone is admitted into hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation and care centers, have all your legal paperwork signed. For example, even before you ever get ill or need hospitalization, you need to have your living wills, wills, power-of-attorneys, health proxies, all taken care of, read, signed, witnessed and processed so that you cannot be pressured by any nursing home, or hospital or other facilitiy in to designating the hospital or facility to be in charge of all of your finances. Yes, some facilities have contracts drawn up like that and they call these contracts, admissions forms or addmissions applications. So many residents have no idea of what they are signing. They think they are signing a routine admission application, ie. with name, address and health insurance information on it , and in essence they are really signing all their finances and their financial, health and social power over to these facilities.


• Let all the hospitals, medical centers and especially nursing homes and rehabilitation centers know, ahead of time, that the patient, resident, or anyone in charge of signing for anything at that place, will sign ONLY when the other family member be present to witness the signing and to read and or explain any lengthy documents to the resident or patient.


• When dealing with unscrupulous faciliites or with those that have bad reputations and track records, put your wishes and demands in writing. In other words, issue a letter signed by all necessary parties, stating that the resident, patient or family will not sign any papers, contracts or forms without having another family member present and name that family member in the written document. The patient or resident should sign the document and make sure that the persons at the facility have this document that states clearly that the resident or patient will not sign any forms, documents or appications at all unless the family member is present.


• If you think that you are dealing with an unscrupulous or problematic facility, consider contacting the Administrator and the Ombudsman, and if need be, in more serious cases, the Attorney General of your state.


• By being prepared ahead of time, you can possibly, that is possibly, prevent a medical, social or financial nightmare from happening to your own family. But you must be prepared ahead of time totally, or what happened to hundreds of others, can and might happen to you.

Remember this, that when employees approach you with routine admission documents, they are approaching you with, they are holding documents that are considered legally, binding contracts. So you should not just blindly sign these contracts. When you do that and you have no clue what you are signing, most likely you are signing your own social, medical, financial, and other parts of your life over to them. You are relinquishing your rights to your own pensions, disabilities checks, paychecks, savings and checking accounts and any other assets. Read the small print, and if you are not sure of what you are being asked to sign, then do not sign it. Consult with a lawyer if you feel that you are being taken advantage of by any facility, medical center or nursing home.
Other means of legal recourse that you have , some not legal, are to contact:

1. Ombudsman, find out the telephone number through the telephone operator.

2. Department of Health, look them up on the net

3. Contact your own lawyer.

4. If you cannot afford a lawyer, look up those announcements for Paid Legal Services and join up one of those legal services. This has to be cheaper than signing your homes, apartments and pensions over to a medical center, nursing home or rehabilitation and care center.

5. Attorney General, if you feel that you have been forced, pressured or coerced into signing papers that you did not want to sign or that you obviously did not understand, you might have some recourse by contacting the Attorney General of your state. Please pass this information on to everyone that you know. If you honestly feel like any rehabilitation and care center is trying to steer you in the wrong direction or make you sign papers against your will or make you sign papers that you do not agree to or have no knowledge of what is contained within those papers, you might consider contacting the Attorney General in your own state. There is no fee and no charge for contacting the Attorney General. You can send a letter and ask your questions that way or you can contact them online though the state's website.

BEST way to protect yourself and others, besides the above ways:

• Write an article, story, book about your own experiences.


• Spreading the word so that everyone knows what is happening is one of the ways you can help your family. Remember that these nursing homes and rehab and care centers will be the same ones that your children, and grandchildren might have to deal with in the future for themselves, so by spreading the word you are educating them and educating everyone who comes behind them.


• Whenever necessary, make proper complaints, in writing.


• Complaining in writing is the best way to make your complaints if you feel that you have been hoodwinked. If you are made to sign papers against your will or if you are made to sign papers and you do not know what is written inside of those papers, you need to tell someone immediately. Do not assume that all of the papers are for your benefit. In fact, the opposite is usually true. When a facility brings a stack of papers to you that is so lengthy that you have no time or ability to read everything in there, most likely, these papers, every single one of them is to protect the facility and to get more money for that facility. So, beware of those stacks of papers. Do not be like friends of ours, who were hoodwinked. You be prepared and you be alert.


• Press the button up there where it says copy this article and legally post the article in as many places, websites and bulletin boards that you can post it in. Please follow the strict guidelines of Ezine. You can copy this and post if for free; there is no fee for the copying IF you do it according to the guidelines. I.E. some of the guidelines state that you cannot change the wording and that you must leave the websites links and author links in the copy when reposting.

Structures of Elderly Care in the Home

One of the most stressful times in life for both parents and adult children is when an elderly parent needs assistance and refuses to give up living on their own. The independence they have experienced throughout their entire adult lives is threatened. In addition, their home environment provides familiarity and memories that give them comfort and reassurance as they grow older. In home senior care providers offer a way for elderly parents to stay in their home as long as possible, but still receive the attention and care that will ensure their safety and personal care. There are several different ways that in home care can be structured to meet the needs of the patient at the lowest possible price.

Short Visit Care Structure

When the elderly parents are just beginning to need a little help or just someone to check in with them, short visits can be the answer. Daily visits that are anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours can provide a little companionship, assistance, and a check in on the safety of an elderly patient. This type of in home senior care can give family members peace of mind while the elderly parent gets to stay right where they have the most peace of mind - at home.

Custom Care Structure

Elderly parents need different types and levels of care. Some simply need someone to check in on them and provide some companionship. Others need a little help with housekeeping or running errands. Hygiene and personal care needs can range from cleaning, grooming, dressing, and more. Still other patients need morning and evening visits only when the most intensive care needs seem to happen. With custom in home senior care, the family members and patient can design a plan that meets their needs and budget.

In Home Assisted Living Structure

Imagine getting the care of an assisted living facility while still living in your own home. In home senior care with an assisted living structure provides elderly patients with visits throughout the day and night hours. The caregiver typically spends a longer amount of time in the morning and the evening, when personal care needs are more intensive. Programs like these can cost about the same as traditional assisted living care, but the elderly patient enjoys the comfort and familiarity of their own home.

When structuring a care plan for you elderly parent, it is important to get as much consistency and continuity in the care as possible. Be sure to ask if the same caregiver will make all the visits or if your parent will be forced to be helped by a number of different people.

Assisted Living: Elderly Loved Ones' Safety is Focus

Convincing elderly loved ones to move from the comfort of the home they've known for years into an assisted living situation can be one of the toughest hurdles for families to face. The best way is to start the conversation sooner than later, while your loved ones are still in good health. Getting them used to the idea beforehand will make it easier when the time comes. But what if you haven't discussed it nor made plans for a transition? If it is time for your loved ones to alter their living situation--here are some things you should do.

Think Safety First

Keep in mind that your loved ones' safety is the most important thing. If you know that they cannot remain in their own home safely, don't let your emotions override what you know needs to be done. Don't wait for a broken hip, a car accident, medicine overdose, or a crisis call before you step in. Recognize that when you were a child, your parents would have done everything possible to ensure your safety. Now, as hard as it is, you have to be the "parent", and make the best decisions for them.

Consider a Multi-Level Facility

A multi-level facility offers additional services, preventing the turmoil of another movie if your loved ones' health declines. Many seniors start out with their own private apartment and progress through stages of assisted living and eventually to skilled nursing and dementia care, all within the same facility. They may be able to bathe, dress, and take their own medications now, but it's a blessing to know that services can be added if needed. And many times the friends they have made along the way progress along with them, providing the comfort of familiar faces.

Get References

The best way to evaluate a facility is to talk with families who have a loved one living there. Drop in on the weekends during peak visiting hours and discreetly ask about the accommodations, service, activities, cleanliness, food (be sure to eat a meal there yourself), reliability, personnel, etc. If they had it to do again, would they move their loved one there? What do they wish they had known? Also, ask the administrators if there are any liens or lawsuits filed, and ask to review their licensing and certification reports. Also, check with your local Area Agency on Aging and their long-term care ombudsman's office. If the facility will not put in writing that there aren't any legal problems--keep looking!

Ask About Activities

Adult children are often filled with guilt for moving their parents, that is, until they see them flourishing in a new environment, making friends, and participating in activities they haven't enjoyed for years. Ask the activity director what/when activities are offered, such as: field trips, games, crafts, educational classes, singing, dancing, gardening, cooking, bingo, exercising, movies, interaction with children and animals, etc? Be sure to monitor the director and the frequency of these activities regularly.

Create a Relationship

Once you've selected the right place, ask the administrators to help convince your loved one to move, as they are very familiar with this problem and deal with it daily. Ask if someone can call your parents to try to develop a relationship over the phone. Perhaps he or she could drop by (while you just happen to be there) to invite your parents to a get-together. A few days later, casually drive you parents there, just to say hello to that person who was so kind to drop by. Seeing a familiar face is usually very helpful. Remember, any kind of change can be very scary for an elder. Take things slow, gradually reinforcing the idea of moving, with their safety your goal.

Create a Need

Another idea is to have the administrator ask for your loved one's "help" with something. Could they, for example, help with the bingo, cooking or singing classes? Perhaps they can help prepare lunch for the seniors there. Telling your loved ones that they are "needed" and giving them a "job" will help them feel more comfortable about going there. They will make friends, which can then ease the transition to moving there. Also, ask their doctors to encourage the move, emphasizing safety.

Reach for Support

Realize that since the beginning of time, everyone who has ever been lucky enough to have their parents reach old age has experienced the pain of watching their once-competent loved ones decline. We all know it is a part of life, but there are no words that can prepare us for the sorrow. Reach out for help from family and friends, join a support group right away--and don't even think you can do it alone!

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Adult Assisted Living Is The Right Choice For Some Baby Boomers

When its time to find a place to live in after retirement, some baby boomers need different choices of places to live than others. That sounds like kind of a silly thing to say, but it wasn't very long ago that there were not any choices of where to live after retiring. All you got was nursing home. Period.

Nowadays, seniors who are very independent can choose to live in active retirement communities and those who need a just a little bit of help during the day can live in special adult assisted living facilities for seniors.

Nursing homes pretty much treat everyone who lives there as if they needed around the clock nursing care. Some of them do and some of them don't. But if you live in a nursing home, you are going to get that kind of care.

Active senior retirement villages are really just community developments where all the properties are owned by baby boomers; usually you need to be over 55 to get a residence there. But adult assisted living facilities for seniors are right in the middle.

Some people just need a little bit of extra help to get through their day. Lots of times these are people who are older seniors, 75 or 80 or so. But in many instances, because there simply are so many baby boomers, many of the younger senior folks are turning to assisted living places as well.

Living in one of those places is dependent on how much help the senior would need in the course of a day. Sometimes, all somebody needs is a bit of help fixing meals; and if that's the case, then an assisted living facility could be just the ticket. The residents live in their own individual condos or apartments, and the staff is assigned to help them with whatever care they need.

The idea is to help the seniors keep as much independence as is possible and still have a great day every day. A lot of people, especially the baby boomers, grew up as very independent people. They knew what they wanted and had no qualms about going out to get it. So they do not want to be completely dependent on a nursing staff for their daily activities.

And the idea that maintaining the maximum amount of independence is important is why adult assisted living facilities for baby boomers are the perfect kind of arrangement. Not too much help, but just enough to make the days go perfectly.

Modular Building Technologies Facilitate Multi-Family Construction Projects

Commercial multi-family builders save time, save money, and increase quality when they choose modular building technology. Commercial builders not familiar with modular construction first need to learn about and understand the numerous benefits realized by using systems-built modular construction.

Modular buildings are constructed using conventional building practices and materials with one significant difference. The construction takes place inside a climate controlled factory where production staff turns out mostly complete modules. While the modules get shipped to the job site via truck, there is there is nothing temporary about a hotel, student housing apartment complex, or an assisted living facility built with modular construction. Once the modules arrive on site, they are set and finished.

Examples of Commercial Multi-Family Projects

DeLuxe Building Systems, a Pennsylvania based modular builder, maintains an up-to-date portfolio that showcases what's possible with modular. Here are some samples.

• The Sandals Royal Bahamian Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas is a six story, 210 unit hotel comprising 181,173 square feet.


• The Muhlenberg College features a modular student housing complex with 60 units across four stories and 25, 920 square feet.


• The Bellmawr senior living facility in Bellmawr, NJ is a three story, 130 unit modular apartment project that includes 114, 919 square feet.

Looks a lot like any other form of construction, doesn't it? You might also be surprised to learn that some of those projects include steel framing. Modular construction using steel can be used for buildings up to 12 stories.

Modular Construction Benefits

Now that we have a better understanding of what modular building technology can achieve, we can focus on some of the benefits of building with modular. Save time and meet your deadlines. Modular construction happens year round in a climate controlled environment regardless of weather conditions. Modular construction may cut construction time up to 50% compared to traditional construction practices.

Save money. Shorter construction times mean projects recognize cash flow sooner and lessen the duration of construction loans. Since most of the building materials are stored in an off-site factory, there will be less work site theft. And depending on the type of project, modules arrive at the job site up to 85% complete.

Increase quality. When protected by a factory roof, raw materials are protected from common problems, such as rot and warp. With modular construction, quality is built into each project, not inspected in, and each step of the modular construction process incorporates consistent building practices.

Before you start that next hotel, student housing, apartment complex, housing development, or retirement facility, consider modular construction. You might be surprised.

The Looming Government Shutdown

Congress has until midnight on March 5 to come up with some sort of continuing resolution to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year. If this does not happen, the federal government will shut down. This means that public employees stop working and get no pay. This also means that Medicare claims and social security checks stop getting processed. People who receive Social Security Disability Insurance will not receive their payments. Just as many people are unsatisfied with the current state of our politics many more will grow dissatisfied with a halt in government services.

I wish I could say this shutdown was unlikely or just a possibility, but I can't. The aggressively conservative makeup of the House of Representatives has passed a resolution that the Senate cannot pass. Any amendments made in the Senate will likely be rejected in the House. A shutdown is not only possible, it's probable.

For the first time in recent history, there are a significant amount of freshman lawmakers who do not care about getting re-elected and simply want to cut government spending at any political cost. And as they say in Washington, there is nothing more dangerous and unpredictable than a lawmaker who is willing to lose his or her job.

As frustrating as our government and politics can be, no government seems to be an unfavorable alternative. It happened in 1995 when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich went head-to-head with President Clinton in one of the more memorable political showdowns in recent history. The inability to agree on a budget led to a shutdown which caused major public outcry. Gingrich buckled under falling approval ratings and compromised to get the government running again. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton went on to easily win re-election the following year.

The first week in March will be a whirlwind in Washington D.C. Expect bold rhetoric from politicians on both sides of the aisle. My fellow social security disability lawyers and I will be watching the news closely to follow developments as they happen. If you're one to usually be annoyed with politics, make sure you stay away from cable news. If you're like me and enjoy the ongoing narrative of our political system, make sure you're stocked up on popcorn because it should be quite a week.

How To Become A Registered Nurse

For many young people considering nursing as a career, one of the first questions they ask is how can they become a registered nurse? The simple answer is that you have to complete a number of years of studies, undertake examinations and gain practical experience.

If you are seriously thinking about how to become a registered nurse (RN) one of the first things to do is to get your high school diploma with good science grades. This will give you a huge advantage in studying at an accredited healthcare school.

The next step is to decide whether to undertake a Diploma in Nursing, an Associate's Degree or a Bachelor's of Science degree (BSN). A diploma is the most basic certification.

This will enable to become a Licensed Practical nurse, which means that you can become a nursing aide or caregiver licensed to provide limited medical.

An Associate Degree in Nursing is a two-year course that takes your career to a higher level. But if you are really serious about becoming a registered nurse, you should undertake a four-year Bachelor of Science degree at an accredited nursing school.

Once you have finished your training, you will be required to undertake the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to obtain your nursing license. Whether you undertake an accredited nursing program at a nursing school or online, you will also be required to complete clinical internships that provide you with the practical skills to become a good care giver.

As you will be part of a team when you go to work in a hospital or medical clinic, it is important that you learn to to work closely with surgeons, physicians and other healthcare providers. A major part of your time when you study is learning good communication and teamwork skills.

Your care of patients is critical to their well-being. You will spend a lot of your day walking around wards, taking blood from patients, changing bandages and treating wounds and using sophisticated monitoring equipment.

You will also be required to administer medication to patients, help with the patient's rehabilitation and palliative care and also assist doctors when they are providing treatment or are in surgery.

Once you have qualified to become a registered nurse you will have a number of career paths that you can pursue. Your skills will provide opportunities in emergency medical care, neurology, cardiology and heart care, neonatal care, pediatric care, surgery, patient education and palliative medicine.

Nursing is a great career with good job prospects. With an aging population in the United States, millions of people are going to require healthcare in the next 20 years.

Nursing Home Abuse - How to Spot Care Home Negligence and Get Help

Unfortunately Nursing Home Abuse exists

According to the 2007 Laing and Buisson survey there are over 420,000 people living in nursing homes, where many elderly patients are fall victims of nursing home abuse. These numbers are rising and you would be very shocked at what levels abuse is taking place. From medication misuse and care negligence to shocking incidences of horrific neglect which have resulted in death.

If a nursing home falls below a standard of acceptable care that it provides its residents then the safety and welfare of it's residents are at stake. If this happens then Care Home Negligence could be an issue and something needs to be done about it.

One of the difficulties facing those who suspect nursing home abuse is knowing how to prove it. This is a very sensitive issue but there is lots of help available to all concerned.

Some Examples Of Care Home Negligence

Failure to provide food or water or failure to prevent malnutrition or dehydration

Failure to assist in personal hygiene

Failure to provide safe, clean and suitable living conditions

Failure to provide adequate treatment and services for incontinent residents

Failure to provide appropriate supervision and assisted devices to prevent accidents.

Failure to provide adequate medical care and acquire and dispense proper medications, as well as failure to ensure that residents are free from serious medication errors.

Failure to prevent a resident from developing pressure sores; or if a resident already has pressure sores, failure to provide proper treatment to promote healing of the pressure sores

When you make the decision to place your loved ones in the care of others you do so with trust but unfortunately this trust can be broken and it is happening to loss of families. So much so that there are now experts set up to deal with cases of nursing home abuse