When Can Patients Sue a Hospital for Negligence?

When can you sue the hospital or its employees for negligence?

A hospital can be sued for negligence for mistakes that harm or kill a patient. When an employee of the hospital is guilty of negligence, you can sue the hospital. When a doctor working for a hospital makes a mistake, both the doctor personally and the hospital as a whole can be sued. However, doctors can only be sued if they were present and could have prevented the negligence. You cannot sue every doctor in the Emergency Room or surgical floor, only the one who administered or oversaw your treatment. Hospitals can also be sued when a doctor with a history of negligence and medical mistakes was kept on the payroll, thus enabling them to continue harming patients.

What constitutes neglect?

Neglect occurs when someone does not do their job as a normal and competent professional would. Negligence includes not verifying instructions, not following checklists, failing to assist patients in need and not take immediate action in an emergency. There are greater tolerances for mistakes made in life threatening emergencies than general care situations. Malpractice and negligence can arise from a failure to properly diagnose a condition or injury. Negligence can occur when someone is given the improper treatment or the correct treatment is administered incorrectly. Nurses administering the wrong medication and therapists following the wrong protocols are examples of this.

Failing to risk patients of negative outcomes from a medical treatment or side effects of the treatment is also negligence. Recommending a surgery to cure cataracts that can also leave a patient blind is an example of this concept. To sue for negligence, the risk must be significant enough that the patient might have chosen not to have the procedure or treatment if they had known and must have suffered that negative outcome.

Can you sue medical professionals other than doctors at the hospital?

Yes. Any medical professional affiliated with a hospital can be sued for negligence. This includes nurses, physical therapists, medical technicians and pharmacists. First responders such as paramedics and firefighters have broad protection from medical negligence claims, due to the difficulty of acting during emergencies, unless they are employees of the hospital and provide care at the facility. Good Samaritans are rarely sued for negligence unless their actions are reckless.

What types of damages are available when someone sues a hospital for negligence?

There must be a specific injury as well as actual damage to sue for negligence. You cannot sue a hospital because you were unhappy with the level of service.

• Physical pain and suffering


• Medical bills with other medical facilities or practitioners to treat the condition caused by the hospital's neglect, injuries caused by the hospital or diagnose what the hospital failed to find.


• Lost income due to the inability to work or lost income of the individual who died


• Medical bills resulting from additional treatment at the hospital if the patient had received the proper course of treatment.


• Costs of physical therapy or assisted care while recovering

Assisted Living in the Comfort of Home - The Ideal Alternative For Seniors

When families feel that caring for a loved one has become overwhelming, when families feel that Mom or Dad can no longer manage daily activities on their own, families make the choice of placement in an assisted living facility for their loved one. Many children feel that this is their only option for providing care. The fact is, there is a more cost effective alternative to assisted living facilities. In-home care offers personalized solutions and choices for families and seniors. Through the use of in-home care and home health, the highest quality care and support can be delivered in the comfort of home.

Families and seniors need to educate themselves to help them make appropriate informed decisions in regards to their health and care. An aging adult should not have to move out of their home because they require assistance. In making an educated decision for care for a loved one, families need to realize that there are no federal regulations or uniform standards of operations for assisted living facilities. Medicare does pay for assisted living facilities. Seniors pay out-of-pocket for assisted living. Monthly payments can run from 2,000 to 6,000 plus depending on the level of services provided and location. Since assisted living facilities and in-home care are both private pay, which would you choose? It pays to weigh all your options and choices when deciding on your own health and well-being. It pays to be knowledgeable when making any decision that will affect your life. It pays to look beyond the wallpaper.

As with any services, when your funds run out, you cannot stay in the facility. Seniors in a sense must accept a form of a restrictive living environment. Assisted living facilities have regulations. Mom or Dad's day to day choices become limited. Many seniors realize that they do not have much independence or control over their own life. Seniors want choices and a sense of independence.

Licensed in-home care can provides families and seniors with solutions and options to fit every individual's need. In-home care services support an individuals choice to remain safe and as independent as possible. The main focus is one-on-one personalized care of the aging adult, their needs and preferences. The greatest benefit of in-home care is the ability to live in your own home and never have to wait your turn for the assistance that you require. The value and benefit of one-on- one personalized care is priceless. The choice to remain in your own home is the most important issue to every senior.

Licensed home care agencies offer trained, insured, professional caregivers to assist families and seniors to be able to remain living safely in their own home. For a son or daughter that provides care, it is an option and solution that can allow you the opportunity to focus on your own family, your life or job. You retain peace of mind that Mom or Dad is safe and receiving personalized care in their home. So when you are trying to decide the best for Mom or Dad, consider the alternative of in-home care services. Shop around as you would for any other service and compare both.

Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing Home Abuse

There are few things as tragic as abuse targeted towards those who cannot readily defend themselves. Because of this it is painful when someone you care about falls victim to neglect and abuse in an elder care facility. While there are many forms of abuse which can occur in a home for elderly care, it is important you are aware of the most common forms in order to better protect yourself and those you love.

Common Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

Elderly individuals in nursing home care vary in their levels of health, mobility and independence. However, all elder care home residents can easily fall victim to neglect when caretakers act negligently and without care. Some common forms of nursing home abuse include the following:

• Physical abuse, such as forceful grabbing and hitting


• Sexual assault, either performed by other residents or by caregivers


• Fraud and theft from residents


• Mental and emotional abuse, such as humiliation and verbal abuse


• Isolation practices and other detrimental practices


• Malnutrition and improper feeding practices


• Improper medicating practices, such as over medicating or leaving out vital medications in the daily doses

The victims of these forms of abuse and neglect are likely to suffer greatly from the experience. From emotional trauma and physical pain to a financial burden there are a number of hardships that can arise from these unpleasant experiences. Because of this it is imperative those responsible for the experience are held accountable for their role in causing harm. If your loved one has been harmed in their elder care home, an experienced legal professional can help you seek compensation.

Video Surveillance and Surveillance Laws

The dependability and prevalence of video surveillance cameras has increased dramatically in the past decade. Numerous home and business owners have integrated video cameras into their security systems to ensure safety, crack down on regulations, and catch criminals in the act. Surveillance is considered covert when the cameras are hidden or aren't identifiable. Security Cameras are largely legal in the United States, as long as it doesn't directly infringe on a person's fourth amendment right to privacy.

Uses of Covert Surveillance

"A picture is worth a thousand words." This saying rings true in court. According to a recent study, when a jury is presented with surveillance footage, it is twice as likely to convict as when not shown video surveillance evidence. The strategic placement of covert surveillance cameras aid in the detection and prosecution of vandalism, theft, child abuse, elder neglect, stalking, and harassment.

Some of the more common places to use covert camera surveillance are: Homes, Casinos, Police Stations, Nursing Homes, Construction Sites, Prisons, Hospitals and Retail Stores.

Monitoring the activities of nannies and household help with covert surveillance cameras is a growing trend. Due to recent advances in technology, cameras are now small enough to be hidden in many home items such as teddy bears, house plants, clocks, and wall paintings.

Surveillance Laws

Most camera surveillance is legal in the United States. The majority of surveillance laws concern the invasion of privacy with the use of covert video surveillance. The use of covert surveillance is particularly controversial in areas in which a high level of personal privacy is expected, such as: locker rooms, dressing rooms, bedrooms, and bathroom stalls. There are some general guidelines to follow to ensure the legality of your camera surveillance system.

Covert surveillance is illegal when: Audio surveillance is also taking place, without the consent of those being monitored and the person being monitored by the video surveillance has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Covert surveillance may be illegal when: The video surveillance encourages an illegal activity and the subject under video surveillance has a right to counsel, as when being questioned by law authorities and the person in charge of the premises have not given permission for video surveillance.

If you opt to incorporate a covert video surveillance system into your home or business, consult with a lawyer or your local law enforcement agency to ensure your compliance with local, state, and federal video surveillance laws.

Many independent studies in the United States and United Kingdom have suggested that video surveillance acts as a powerful deterrent, stopping crimes before they happen. Studies also show strong evidence that video surveillance systems can be an extremely effective tool in detection and prosecution.

Tips to Help Older People But Keep Them Independent

As we get older, a lot of us may need some kind of help to live a relatively normal life. Assisted senior living is a service which provides that kind of help and will allow the older person to stay within their familiar surroundings for as long as possible. Assisted living home services will advice those who are related to the older person on what to do to help and when an added assistance may be necessary.

Of course, not everyone will want to go into a care facility where they lose their freedom and independence is taken away from them. Most will want to stay where they have lived for many years and do not welcome the fuss of moving at this advanced age. However, if the person is becoming a little frail or forgetful, and the family do not live nearby, then a placement that will allow them to be a little independent while having qualified personnel on hand may be just the answer that the family are looking for.

Retirement communities are plenty and there are many which are excellent. However, when it comes to a mother or father who is the one who needs some help, then we tend to be a little more fussy than normal. No one likes to think of their loved one getting anything other than the best kind of treatment so finding recommendations for these facilities is very important.

Word of mouth or testimonials that can be trusted are probably the best way to check out these retirement places, but do not be afraid to turn up unannounced either. Those who object to being checked out in this fashion should be avoided or sidelined because they may be trying to hide something.

But of course there are different levels of care available for those who may be quite active through to those who need just a little help on a daily basis. Caring for an infirm adult is sometimes quite tiresome so having them helped by an outside facility may be what is needed so that the relationship does not get too fraught.

Active older people thrive on being able to carry on their social lives to the full, and who can blame them. But finding a way around all the different kinds of facilities on offer can be quite a job. But there is help at hand for this kind of research too. There are some agencies who take it upon themselves to do all the research for the interested parties so that the hard work is taken out of it.

Choosing an agency who knows their way around the array of facilities on offer will not only save a lot of time, it will possibly save on expense too. They will be able to ascertain the correct level of help that is needed in individual cases and this will obviously mean that the more expensive and more labor intensive facilities will not be needed probably until some future date when the aged person is deteriorating.

Paying For Elder Care Just Got Easier

It's not a surprise that thousands of families across the nation are facing the challenges of an aging population. The "sandwich" generation, those who are caring for their children as well as their parents, have been feeling the financial pinch of caring for loved ones. Paying the high cost of Elder Care can cost a family thousands of dollars a month. Too many families are unaware of how utilizing a loved one's life insurance policy can not only pay for Assisted Living and Nursing Home care, but can maintain the standards of living for the remaining spouse.

Not too many financial specialist inform their clients who have purchased life insurance policies with a death benefit over $250,000 that they can utilize a somewhat unknown option on their life insurance to pay for the high cost of Elder Care. It is called a Life Settlement and it can fully take the financial burden off of families who struggle to keep their loved one in a quality facility.

A policy owner has the right to sell his or her life insurance policy to an institution for significantly more than the cash value of the policy. For example, a life insurance policy with a $500,000 death benefit and a $75,000 cash value can be purchased for $250,000 and up. This money can be used now to pay for assisted living, nursing homes as well as in home services also. The procedure is relatively quick with minimal paperwork.

It is senseless to struggle financially to pay for the needs of elderly loved ones when they can utilize their life insurance policy to pay for care. Many, many times life insurance policies lapse when a loved one goes into assisted living or a nursing home just out of financial necessity as well as through medicaid planning.

Instead of letting a policy lapse or into surrendership, smart families are looking into life settlements as a funding source for the high expense of Elder Care.

Can I Afford Assisted Living for My Parents?

When considering assisted living for an elderly loved one, affordability is of great concern. How long will assisted living be needed? What is the cost? Are there any other expenses or fees in addition to the base price for assisted living?

Long-term care insurance can help offset the costs of home care or home care, if this was obtained when the senior was younger. A elder care financial expert may be of assistance as well. Will a reverse mortgage loan to senior's be appropriate? How about selling your home to pay for assisted living? Applying life insurance funds toward long-term care?

When looking at affordability of home care or facilities, considerations of what is being paid for in their own home are important. Living in an assisted living home, residential home, memory care home or retirement community usually cover most expenses that are being paid for living independently. For example, property taxes, food, utilities and house upkeep are no longer an issue or burden once the elderly are moved into a community.

Home care usually charges by the hour. How many hours a day will your loved one realistically require for safety and well-being? This can quickly outpace the costs of assisted living home care.

Remember, assisted living homes are not nursing homes which are significantly more expensive and usually not as personable.

The costs of a facility vary greatly depending on location, range of services, amenities, single room versus shared room, etc...

Costs range from as little as $1500 per month to $5000 per month or more, with the national average of $3000 per month. Facilities generally cost significantly less than nursing home care and 24 hour home care.

You should initially, find out how much your loved one pays out at home in expenses each month to determine what level of assisted living is necessary. Assets, in addition to available expenses should also be considered [savings, current home worth, etc... ].

You should obtain a durable power of attorney or guardianship if you don't have one yet so you may better assist your loved one.

Facilities are generally not covered by insurance such as Medicare or are private pay. Long-term care insurance. It is possible that you might be able to partially offset costs, depending on what insurance or medical policy you have.

Considering the costs of living independently at home including utilities, food, property taxes, and external assistance etc... , assisted living expenditures become quite reasonable.

More importantly, the peace of mind achieved, living in a monitored setting, is priceless!

Elder care managers are experts in helping families with planning their loved-ones future. This is usually a free service that families can utilize and relieve the frustration in dealing with all the various options.

Assisted Living Jobs and Your Career Search

Employers in the health care industry are constantly looking for qualified professionals to join forces with one of the most popular and growing fields today - healthcare. We see and use healthcare everyday of our lives in one area or another, but probably take a lot of it for granted. Those who choose to make healthcare a part of their lives by pursuing it as a career will find a world of opportunity at their feet. Whether you are interested in pursuing a nursing job, cardiology job, or working with the elderly in assisted living jobs, or prefer to take a seat in the administrative part of health care by having a business system job, you are sure to find a lot of opportunities and variety out there.

Healthcare is one of the only fields that is truly constant and will not go out of style. As we age and the population in general ages, there is going to be an increasing need for qualified and professional care on which our loved ones will need to rely. Assisted living jobs are one of most overlooked positions in the healthcare industry, but are very important and necessary. People working in assisted living positions have a variety of job opportunities that include working in nursing home facilities, hospice care or home health care. They assist the elderly or ill with daily functions and make it possible for these people to do and enjoy the activities that they can while receiving the proper medical care and attention that they need.

Cardiology jobs are also another area of the medical field that is constantly growing and expanding. You do not have to be a heart surgeon to be considered being a part of the cardiology field. There are many positions that work closely with the cardiologists, from working with the patients to assisting the physicians or reading and conducting the scans and exams that need to performed. There is a lot of growth potential within this field and it is always expanding.

If you prefer to stick with the business end of healthcare, there are plenty of job possibilities contained within the healthcare administrative staff and in business systems. This may involve being on the administrative staff or helping to develop new business systems and practices that are used by the hospital or other medical facilities. Whichever avenue you choose to pursue in healthcare, you are bound to find many great opportunities available.

A Personal Accident Attorney Can Help You Move on With Life

The world is unfortunately filled with misfortunes, which can strike an individual's life without warning. Some of these include motor vehicle accidents, injuries sustained in the work place or even medical malpractice. People who find themselves in such calamities are often overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of it happening to them. Some of them might be in extremely agonizing circumstances which require long-term healthcare, and consequently, find the quality of their lives significantly reduced.

Most of these people might possess some form of insurance cover against such eventualities, but sometimes such a measure isn't always effective. Some insurance firms mandatorily dispute the legitimacy of such claims, and often try to evade their responsibility to their clients.

In such a situation one should enlist the aid of a skilled and experienced personal accident attorney. Such a professional possesses the experience and retrospection in dealing with insurance firms, and can accurately assess the potency of the case.
This not only ensures that the client gets the best compensation, but also takes a huge load off their shoulders as the personal accident lawyer acts as a bridge between the client and the insurance firm.

Normally, insurance firms retain claim adjusters to evaluate such claims, whose main task is to undermine them. A capable personal accident attorney will have direct dealings with such people, which will often results with the insurance firm offering an out-of-court settlement. However, should such an offer be inadequate the lawyer can open legal proceedings against the insurance firm.

Such a lawsuit can be protracted, and the personal accident attorney will have to establish the authenticity of their client's claim. This is usually done by presenting factual depositions of certified physicians attesting to the extent of the applicant's injuries, and the physical or emotional trauma they experience due to the accident. This is particularly helpful for applicants who have incurred terrible losses like dismemberment or paralysis which have incapacitated them or truncated their lives.

Thus, an efficient personal injury lawyer will from the advice of such medical practitioners set an appropriate compensation fee which should factor in not only their client's incapacitation, but also the emotional trauma, and the reduction of the quality of life that they will lead. Like all legal proceedings, such lawsuits require perfect timing and deliberate actions. A good personal accident attorney will not only proactively meet the legal obligations such a case entails, but will also ensure that his or her client receives the right compensation.

How to Obtain CNA Training

A certified nursing assistant is responsible for working in various health care centers like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, elderly care facilities, day care centers etc. CNAs have to perform many patient care duties. These duties include assisting patients in daily routines such as eating, dressing, taking medications etc. CNAs have to evaluate all the change in patient's health and have to report it to physicians or registered nurses. Proper training will help them to perform all these duties in a timely manner. CNA training will also help them to work in stressful environment. The job of CNA requires great level of psychological abilities and physical capabilities. CNAs have to deal with various types of people. They should be enough understanding, caring and helpful.

CNAs can work in both full time and part time shifts. CNA training is a good option for those who want to start their career in a health care field. CNA training includes both classroom instructions and on-the-job training. Many local community colleges provide CNA training. The duration of most of the CNA courses provided by local community colleges is about 6 weeks. The cost of the training program ranges between $300 and $1,000. You have to choose an accredited program in CNA training that helps you to obtain certification. The certification exam will test your knowledge about nursing aspects. Methods used for testing will be different in different states. In some states, certification exam include an oral description of basic patient care. On the other hand, practical knowledge obtained through the training is analyzed in some states.

You can get free CNA training through Red Cross, local or state hospitals and state or local funded scholarships. Red Cross often provides free CNA training and scholarships for deserving candidates. The training from Red Cross often provides national certification to the candidates. By obtaining this certification, you are allowed to work anywhere in the country. The up-to-date training offered by the Red Cross society is acceptable by all health care facilities and medical centers.

For qualifying for this training, you must be 18 years older or above. Many local and state hospitals also offer free training. After the training is over, you have to work in that hospital for certain period of time. So you can find employment immediately after completing the training. Department of Public health provides scholarship programs in CNA. These programs will take care of all the cost related to your training.

Medical Neglect and Abuse at Nursing Homes

Nursing homes have a growing reputation for being unsuccessful and unhealthy environments for elders. Part of this is due to negligence, fraudulent practices, incompetence, and lack of training. The adverse effect on the health of the elders is terrible and if you have decided to entrust the care of your loved one to an assisted living facility, it is crucial for you to conduct thorough research on any institution you are considering.

If you suspect your elder has suffered pain or emotional abuse because of the negligent care of a nursing home attendant, it is very important for you to confirm contact law enforcement as quickly as possible to make sure that any abuse or neglect is stopped as quickly as possible.

Types of medical neglect and abuse

The professionals who work in the elder-care industry have an obligation to treat the individuals in their care with respect. Unfortunately, there are far too many individuals who fail to provide for the needs of the nursing home residents in their care. There are some warning signs by which you may be able to tell that your loved one has received abuse or neglect at the hands of those responsible for them:

• Lack of necessary healthcare


• Signs of malnutrition, such as rapid weight loss


• Overdosing on medication


• Dramatic changes in personality


• Bruising or bedsores


• Broken bones or sprains


• Broken glasses or ripped garments

In your search for a nursing home, you might want to speak with? current residents, other potential residents, and discuss the accommodations with other family and friends. As people age, they ?require additional care and comfort; your loved ones deserve to be in a facility that provides the best attention and care possible.

Mental Distress Lawyers

One of the most important organs of the body is the brain. It is in this organ that most of the activities of the body revolve. The brain controls practically all the parts of the body. It is in the brain that we have thoughts and are able to make decisions on what is to be done. It is also here that we are able to experience the senses i.e. when the sun is shining and it is hot, it is the brain that 'communicates' to the rest of the body that it is hot. These are just some of the underlying things that remind us how important the brain is.

But in all this, we have to be careful on what goes on in the brain. Within the brain is the mind where our thoughts originate from. It is in the mind that decisions are made and dreams are experienced when people sleep. If the mind is overworked, then it will be distressed i.e. the mind will be working overtime and will not be able to handle the load of work put on it. As, we had stated earlier, the main function of the mind is to think. But thinking should be controlled. Just like a machine can accommodate a certain amount of load, the brain/mind works in a similar manner. If you have many thoughts you may end up being stressed.

Some of the things that can bring about mental distress are being overworked at the workplace, being in debt, family and relationship issues and death threatening accidents among others. Mental distress can be self induced or can be caused by someone else. If it is caused by someone else, then one has the right to be compensated for that. This is because the distress causes lack of concentration, meaning output in the work place will be less, it may lead to medical conditions and, in many cases, counseling. All these are expenses that one has to incur and thus, they have to be compensated.

A mental distress lawyer can help one file claims for being distressed, if the stress was cause by another party. It is their right to be compensated and the attorneys will ensure settlements are done for the mental distress caused. Good and experienced mental distress lawyers will handle your case from start to finish. They will even give advice on how certain situations can be handled.

CCRC - A Senior Campus That Ages As You Do

Today's economy has most over the age of 55 worrying about their retirement nest egg, long term health care, social security viability, living longer and how they'll manage their lifestyle in the future.

We'd like to believe we won't ever need to move into an assisted living community or skilled nursing center, however, the statistics are against us. According to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), after age 65, Americans have more than a 70% chance of needing some form of long-term care. The reality is that not all people age as gracefully as they would like -- which can have significant financial consequences.

Did you know there are approximately 2,200 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that provide affordable retirement living options for seniors age 62-100 plus and are designed for those who do not want to worry about outliving their assets or costly long term nursing care down the road?

It's a 40 year old concept that was started by faith-based, not-for-profit organizations with the mission to help seniors age gracefully. It's called a Type A life care contract, and it is offered by not-for-profit continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) such as ACTS Retirement-Life Communities, headquartered in Pennsylvania but with locations in six states.

"For people who are really worried about outliving their money (and given the turbulent economy who's not?), Type A is the best choice," said Margery Schiller, a financial planner based in Florida. "It provides the most peace of mind because everything is included in the monthly fee. There are also significant tax savings (30-40%) as the entrance and monthly fee may be tax deductible as a prepaid medical expense."

Many retirement communities offer modified life care programs and pay-as-needed health care plans, but how does this benefit the average senior when prices continue to skyrocket and no one knows what services will be needed? The current senior housing options available include:

1) Age-restricted housing - these communities are often referred to as 'active adult' communities and one partner must be age 55 or over to enter. These communities may include single family homes, condos or apartments with some outside maintenance done. No meals, health care or transportation are provided. Home health care workers must be contracted privately should a need arise (approx $32 per hour).

2) Assisted living centers - provide a special combination of residential housing, personalized supportive services and care; meal plans are available and you pay-as-needed (approx. $35,628 per year).

3) Skilled nursing centers - provide complete 24-hour care for those unable to care for themselves at a cost of approx $77,745 per year.

4) Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) - These communities usually target people age 62 and above and combine age-restricted housing, assisted living, skilled nursing, transportation, maintenance, food, activities and a wide range of amenities. Residents must be able to live safely alone in their apartments when they move into the community. CCRCs offer three types of contracts:

Extensive contracts (Type A) offer life care insurance to residents. Residents benefit from an entrance fee and monthly maintenance fee which may be partially tax deductible (up to 30-40%). The monthly fee does not increase if a higher level of health care is needed, including assisted living and skilled nursing care, which normally is offered on the CCRC campus. Type A contracts are the safest and most affordable option, and are usually offered by not-for-profit organizations where revenue is reinvested into the communities for upgrades. Type A contracts are an alternative to expensive long term health insurance.

Modified contracts (Type B) typically require an entrance fee and a monthly maintenance fee. Lifetime access to assisted living and skilled care is on a fee-for-service basis. The monthly service fee increases as levels of care increase. Residents may receive a discounted rate for the care and a specified number of days of long term nursing care at no additional cost.

Fee-for-service contracts (Type C or rental) may initially offer a lower monthly service fee than with other types of contracts, however, residents are responsible for all costs of additional health care as they are needed. No resident discount, benefits, or any free long-term-care days are earned. Type B and C fee-for-service contracts are usually offered by private for-profit providers.

Nursing Home Do's and Dont's - How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect

In 1996, the Knight-Tribune News Service reported, "thieves often use Vaseline to ease wedding rings off of the hands of sleeping patients in nursing homes. One case cited an eighty-six year old woman who awoke inconsolable one morning when she discovered her finger had been stripped of her last two life's mementos: a diamond ring inherited from her mother and the engagement ring her husband slipped on her finger during a romantic canoe ride. She was heartbroken! Nursing home administrators often cover up for the employee doing the stealing by either denying that the theft occurred or by insisting to the victims' families that their employees' are honest; not dishonest. Because of this "hear no evil, see no evil " policy police departments are hardly ever notified or asked to get involved in such trivial matters as a few missing blouses or pieces of jewelry valued under one hundred dollars. If caught, employees are usually fired, but they are not made to make restitution. As a result, neither the facility or the victim's family criminally prosecutes them.

In July of 2001, CBS news reported a story about Helen Love, an elderly woman who was attacked by a caregiver at a Sacramento, Ca. facility because she soiled herself. "He choked me and went and broke my neck and broke my wrist," said Love. According to additional reports, Love's assailant received a year in the county jail. Further articles by the same newspaper revealed that three other employee's employed by the same facility were convicted for abuse as well. Yet, none of them were ever kept from working in any nursing facility. So why has the nursing home network ignored the need for stiffer background checks? According to the CBS news report in 2001 and articles written by reporters employed by national and local newspapers, most reported abuses are physical, sexual, and verbal.

A congressional report written by Waxman, a top democrat on the house Government Reform Committee, which oversees spending and other operations, said he is introducing a plan that would require criminal background checks on nursing home staff and impose tougher standards on homes with violations. But, what do we call tougher standards when we allow older felons recently released from our prison system, with a history of sexual assaults or violent crimes to work and live in nursing homes, to victimize our senior citizens or disabled children? Congressional reports written between January 1999 and 2001 by Waxman report that over 30% of our nursing facilities were cited for abuse and, the violations were serious enough to cause actual harm, immediate jeopardy of death, or serious injury."

Charles H. Roadman II, president of the American Health care Association (AHCA), a nursing home trade group that represents 12,000 non-profit and for-profit centers and homes for the elderly and disabled, stated to CBS news in an article written on July thirty-first, 2001 that he believes that "the great majority of long term care in our nation is excellent." Reading articles such as these, makes me wonder if any of the congressional representatives, senators, governors, other than Jeb Bush, have ever taken time out of their busy schedules to personally visit any of the facilities that have been cited for these alleged abuses, or personally met any of the victims' families screaming for justice and reform? When it is all said and done there are many simple warning signs that we should look for whenever we are faced with seeking short-term or long-term care. The list that I have provided in my booklet called "Nursing Home Do's and Dont's, by Brooke Jennings, is an easy read for the average layperson. Therefore, if you are considering placing your friend or a precious member of your family into the hands of strangers, I recommend getting a copy of Nursing Home Do's and Dont's @ brookesden.com

Different Places That CNAs Can Work

Many people become a CNA, or certified nursing assistant, to get on the fast track to working in the medical field. With a relatively inexpensive and short certification process, CNAs have a wide variety of employment options available to them.

CNAs often start out at group homes or supportive living homes. Companies around the United States provide around-the-clock care to adults with special needs, such as those with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, or mental delays. These companies often pay less than other places that hire CNAs. This is due to the fact that job duties can be performed by people without a CNA licensed, such as Personal Care Workers or Direct Care Workers. However, they have very flexible schedules and are a good entry-level job for CNAs.

One of the most popular places for a CNA to work is a nursing home. Nursing homes only hire CNAs, unlike group and supportive living homes. CNAs working in nursing homes need to be very fast in administering medications, delivering food, changing sheets, and either changing their patients' briefs or helping them to the bathroom. Nursing homes hire CNAs for every shift, including day shifts, evening shifts, and overnight shifts. This is great for CNAs who are going back to school to get a higher-level nursing degree. However, nursing homes also require that their CNAs work weekend and holiday shifts.

Hospitals, to a limited degree, hire CNAs in various areas of the hospital. This is particularly true for large hospitals that see lots of patients. CNAs can do the menial tasks that RNs and doctors are too busy for, such as helping patients to the bathroom, doing basic charting tasks, and passing out medications to patients. There is considerably less flexibility in hospital CNA shifts than nursing home CNA shifts, since there is not such a great need for CNAs at hospitals. In addition, hospitals may only hire CNAs with a considerable amount of experience. In exchange for inflexible shifts and more stringent hiring requirements, hospitals often pay a considerable amount more than nursing homes or group homes.

A final and little-known CNA job opportunity is working privately for people. People with medical problems who live on their own may hire CNAs privately to help them out on a regular basis. These jobs are the highest-paying of all CNA jobs, but they can be very hard to find. In addition, most people will only hire a CNA that has several years of experience. They also want to hire CNAs that they feel comfortable with, since they will often be alone with the CNA for several hours at a time. CNAs who want to find private CNA jobs can look for job listings in the newspaper, online, and on Craigslist.

In-House Nursing Programs VS Nursing School: Which Is Better?

The health care part of the economy is one of the very few that continued to grow even in the midst of the greatest economic recession that has ever hit the United States. But for that very reason, nursing schools have become competitive places in the past few years -- if you're thinking about how amazing it would be to help people heal while you make a good living, you'd better have a plan. 

Starting At the Bottom

You might want to start as a nurse's assistant and work your way up the ranks from the inside, taking the nursing programs offered at your hospital. There's nothing wrong with that; it'll get you the social and political connections you need to be at the top of the totem pole by the time you get there. But it does take an awfully long time, and you might find you get upset when people from the outside -- the ones who went to nursing school -- get hired to be your superiors despite your experience and connections.

On the other hand, you can get started quickly -- getting a Certified Nursing Assistant diploma only takes three months, and that's if you don't take the accelerated course. And once you have your CNA, you can walk into almost any hospital, nursing home, or other major medical institution and have at least a ground-level job.

Starting In the Middle

You might want to skip the startup and jump straight in as a Licensed Practical Nurse. It's nice to jump into a position that pays in the middle five digits up front, there's no doubt about that. Of course, to get there you'll have to take 2-3 years of nursing education. Some hyper-accelerated courses (usually online) might allow you to get your LPN in only nine months, but only if you're extraordinarily motivated and dedicated.

The upside is starting in a position that involves a little less grunt work and a lot more autonomy than being a CNA. The pay and benefits are significantly better, and the opportunities for moving into a specialization (which pay even more) are abundant.

Starting At The Top

Of course, you could go for the full 4-6 year nursing school experience and start working as a Registered Nurse right at the get-go. There's a lot of demand for RNs in the US, and they command some surprising salaries. Of course, they also owe quite a bit of school debt for that nursing education, so a significant portion of those funds are going to pay back those loans.

On the plus side, an RN is a leader in her workplace. Only an RN has any significant potential to move up to administration and take a command position, but even those that don't generally end up in specialist slots that draw in a very decent salary.

In the end, there are significant benefits and drawbacks to each plan -- and none of them is 'right'. You can start with in-house nursing programs or go to six years of nursing school; in the end, there are good reasons to do either. Figure out which one works with your priorities, and once you choose a plan, commit to it. That's the best way to start a career in nursing!

Remote Monitoring That Will Assist Caregivers

The advent of new technology is helping people that require some level of assistance stay independent in their homes longer. One of the technologies taking the market by storm is the GrandCare System. The GrandCare System is finding its way into a number of areas including residences, small group homes and even larger independent and assisted living facilities.

In a nut shell, GrandCare is a three level system. Level one provides a social interface for the end-user, level two is a health and wellness monitoring portion and level three monitors daily activity. Throw in basic home automation control and you have a fully interactive monitoring system that will provide the assistance that is needed by a large portion of the population.

With the rising cost of healthcare, we need to find new solutions that allow early detection of potential problems and address them prior to hospitalization. One hospital admittance and the system can be paid for. Also, with the average cost of assisted living topping $50,000 per year....the cost of a system can be absorbed in a number of months and extend the ability to stay at home for years. Couple a GrandCare System with a PERS and medication management system and the cost is still well below assisted living.

Level One

The first part of the Grandcare is the social interface. This portion of the system is designed to keep the user in touch with the world (even without knowing how to use a computer). It provides a central place for family to share things like photos and information. The system provides a touch screen computer and can also be connected to a TV. The touch screen allows the user to access pre-set internet sites, receive and send email, listen to music, play games and more. When not being used for an activity, the system will display; photos (that can be uploaded by family), trivia, weather, news headlines, daily reminders and other items that the family and user can designate.

Level Two

Level two is something we all need! It is the Health and Wellness side of the system. Via a wireless interface, the system will monitor weight, blood pressure and pulse-ox. The caregiver/family member can create rules so when the system detects changes, it will notify them via email, text message or a simple phone call. (More on rules later). The system will also monitor the glucose levels of the user. Combine all of the monitoring with a complete reporting system that generates reports that can be printed out and given to your doctor. This provides a much more detailed and lengthy look of the patient allowing the doctor to make better decisions then they can when they get that ten or fifteen minute snap shot when you are in for a check-up.

Level Three

Level three is designed to monitor the daily activity of the occupants of the home. It is a non evasive way of ensuring that they are ok. The system will monitor doors, windows, the refrigerator... basically, anything that can be opened. It will also look at motion, lack of motion or excessive motion in any area that is monitored. For example, if a person gets out of bed at 7AM every day, the system can be programmed to watch for no motion in the home between say, 6AM and 8AM indicating they didn't get up. It can also monitor if a person is in bed or out of bed and how much they are moving around. By doing that, we can determine how well someone sleeps and if they are not sleeping well address it so they sleep better. The system will also advise caregivers and family members if someone is out of bed for an extended period at night, possibly indicating a problem. With the ability to monitor just about anything combined with the rules that can be created, you can create a truly safe environment.

Care Notes

This is an area for caregivers and family members that visit the user to perform assistance tasks, check on wellbeing or for any other reason they stop in. The care notes allow a person to enter basic notes. For example, a daytime caregiver may leave a note for the overnight caregiver saying that the resident has the flu so make sure they are drinking fluids. Or a daughter may stop by and notice that dad has a cut on his head from a fall so he needs to be checked on from time to time for the next 24 hours. All of the care notes can be reviewed from any computer with an internet connection and are also sent out via email at the end of the day to the people that you designate. This allows everyone to stay up to date as to what is going on.

The Rules

The GrandCare System allows rules to be setup by the caregiver or family members. This is an extremely flexible part of the system and very easy to modify as needs or areas of concern change. Some of the systems that are similar to GrandCare use Artificial Intelligence (AI). This allows the computer to set rules based on what it determines is the "normal activity" of the user. That works well providing that when the system is installed, the user has no existing conditions. The system may decide that something that is truly an issue is normal activity.

The rules in the GrandCare System can be setup to send a message via Text Message, Email or can use an automated voice and place a phone call to a designated person. You can also use any combination of the notifications. You can also use rules to cause something to happen in the home, say turn on a light. A few examples follow;

1) If no motion is detected between 7AM and 9AM send a text message to caregiver 1
2) If any door opens between 10PM and 6AM call caregiver 2
3) If person gets out of bed between 10PM and 7AM turn on the bathroom light
4) If a person is out of bed for more the 15 minutes between 10PM and 7AM, call caregiver 1
5) If a glucose reading is below 100, call the home and say " Your blood sugar is low please drink orange juice"

The rules that can be created are almost endless and can be modified as needed. This allows the system to be customized to today and then changed to meet tomorrow's needs.

Dealers

You will want to work with a local and reputable authorized dealer. The system brings a lot of capabilities; however during setup and installation this can overwhelm and confuse the caregivers and family members. Plus, you want to get the most from the system. When the system is first installed, the dealer will help to determine the best layout of the sensors based on the individual needs and help setup the users and rules. Some dealers will have a follow-up meeting about two weeks after the installation to review rules, adjust sensors and make any changes that are needed now that the system has real data from day to day use. The dealer will charge a monthly fee that typically covers the monthly software license (charged by the manufacturer), the hosting for alert notification, software updates and sometimes on going service for hardware failure. Some dealers will even take care of rule changes, adding users and other ongoing software maintenance. Spend time with your dealer and ensure that they are a good fit for you and your family.

When all is said and done, this is a system that can greatly improve safety, independence and general daily life of the user. However, this is not a put it in and forget it system, you want to have the family (Children, Grandchildren, Cousins etc...no matter where they live) involved and keep the photos new and changing, sending emails to the user and keeping information fresh. This will help to keep someone who may be isolated from the rest of the world more active and involved.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence

We usually think of convalescent homes as places for our loved ones to live and receive the care they need when they progress in age and are no longer able to care for themselves. Some assisted care facilities have been in the news lately for abusing their patients. Unfortunately, this problem is quite widespread. Your loved ones may be getting abused in their nursing home, and you may not know about it.

When you think your loved one may be suffering abuse, there are usually some signs that may confirm or deny your fears. Some of the signs you may want to look out for are:

• Emotional changes - your loved one may seem distant or unusually tense if he or she is being abused


• Bumps and bruises - your loved one may have physical signs of abuse


• Unexplained injuries - your loved one may have to visit the doctor for unexplained reasons, which may point to abuse


• Physical changes - unexplained gains and losses in weight, broken bones, or illnesses may all indicate abuse

When your loved one is abused in his or her home, his or her life may be in danger. Most residents are already in a fragile state, so neglect and abuse may lead to serious, debilitating injuries or premature death.

There are many causes of abuse. Some nursing home attendants grow frustrated with the amount of attention their residents require and may take out their frustration on their residents. Additionally, some nursing home attendants may be overrun with patients, causing them to neglect some of their residents while they tend to others.

In any case, nursing home abuse is never acceptable, especially since most are paid services. Your loved one's final years should be as comfortable as possible, but abusive attendants may cause your loved one to live in constant fear in the final days.

Many residents do not speak up when they are being abused. This may be for several reasons. Some may be physically unable to do so, allowing the abuse to continue. Others may keep abuse to themselves out of fear of persecution. Some feel they may be a burden to their loved ones if they complain about abuse.

It may be up to you to determine whether your loved one is suffering abuse. Should you discover abuse taking place, you may be able to hold the nursing home accountable for your loved one's injuries.

What's in Your Medical Records?

What's in your medical records? Do you know? The answer to this simple question can have a significant impact on what insurance companies, like ICBC, are prepared to offer you in the settlement of your accident case or why you might be denied coverage under your long term disability policy or worker's compensation claim. As a result, it's important in an injury or disability claim for you to know what is contained in your medical records and where possible, to exercise some control over what parts of your medical records get disclosed.

If you are injured in a car accident, one of the first things ICBC will ask you to do, along with providing a statement of the accident, is to sign an authorization form that will allow your doctor(s) to disclose your medical history, from both before and after the car accident (relevant or not) to ICBC without the opportunity for you or anyone else to review the records before they are seen by ICBC. This practice is problematic because the information contained in your medical records may be inaccurate, incomplete, or may contain confidential, sensitive or irrelevant information that should not be disclosed to ICBC. Unfortunately, most people sign these authorization forms without reading them or giving any consideration to what they are signing.

Physicians are required to keep detailed and complete records for every patient they see. In accordance with the applicable legislation, case law and direction from the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons, medical records should contain: details of the presenting complaint (why you're there), source of the information, the physician's enquiry including history of the complaint and functional enquiry, physical findings, diagnostic speculations or conclusions, recommended procedures or treatments, prescribed medications, information given to the patient, patient follow-up requirements and correspondence or findings from other physicians or caregivers.

It is because of the physicians' obligations that there may be information contained in your medical records that you are not aware of or have forgotten about and should not be provided to a third party. The kind of information that personal injury clients often don't realize, or have forgotten about that is contained in their medical records includes issues like: erectile dysfunction, gynecological problems, references to multiple partners, diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual orientation, alcohol or drug addiction, illegal drug use, criminal background, sexual or physical abuse, embarrassing urinary or bowel problems, abortions, cosmetic surgery (such as breast augmentation), problems at work, family issues, financial stress, psychological illness, and family history, just to name a few. While the issues just referenced may be relevant to your personal injury claim, quite often they're not and therefore do not need to be disclosed to the insurance company.

Determining what information is relevant in medical records can be a difficult task, even for lawyers. However, the test for what is relevant is about to change on July 1, 2010 as the new Rules of Court in British Columbia come into force. At that time, medical records will be considered relevant where they could be used by any party at trial to prove or disprove a material fact, as well as all other documents that you intend to refer to at trial. What is a "material fact" will depend on the circumstances of each case.

If you want to settle your personal injury claim you will not be able to resist providing the insurance company with copies of your medical information, but that does not mean they are entitled to all of your medical records. In order to address some of the issues that can arise, the best approach is to refuse to sign any authorizations allowing the insurer to have complete and direct access to your medical records. Instead, it is preferable to retain a lawyer, have your lawyer request your medical records, the lawyer will then review the records for relevance in relation to your claim, discuss any areas of concern or those that may require further explanation and then provide only the relevant information to the insurance company.

If you do not wish to retain a lawyer, you should at least review your medical records before agreeing to provide a copy to the insurer and you may want to limit the time frame and health care providers for whom you are willing to authorize disclosure. If you have already signed authorizations forms allowing disclosure of your medical records directly to an insurance company, you may want to consider revoking those authorizations, which is commonly done by most, if not all plaintiff lawyers shortly after they have been retained.

*Important Note: The information contained in this column should not be treated by readers as legal advice and should not be relied on without detailed legal counsel being sought.

Therapeutic Lies: An Effective Tool to Lessen Anxiety and Ensure the Safety of Older Adults

As an elder care consultant, there are times that I must resort to telling lies. Why? Because I have to ensure the safety of some of the older adults I help, while lessening the anxiety of other seniors. This is especially true of those with dementia. My lies are called "fiblets" or "therapeutic lies." "Thera" means to help. And that is the express purpose of these lies. Let me tell you about three of them.

Fiblet #1. Janet had one brother who lived in England. He died about ten years ago. Janet has dementia. She had forgotten her brother had passed away. She asked if I would call him, maybe he would come and visit her. Would I tell her that her brother passed away ten years ago and cause her the pain of hearing this "for the first time?" Of course not. I told her Hans was on a business trip and would call once he returned. She took comfort in my answer and looked forward to his call.

Fiblet #2. Patricia had married at age 17. Her husband was considerably older and had taken care of everything. He died suddenly. Her daughter contacted me shortly after his death. "Would you please teach my mother how to pay her bills? She can never know that I am paying you to do this." So we decided to tell Patricia Medicare was paying for my services (Medicare does not). I met with Patricia three times. She was starting to get the hang of things and was so proud of herself, that she started telling her friends about this free Medicare service. Fiblet goes frightfully wrong! What was I going to say? The story had a bittersweet ending. Patricia died seven weeks after her husband, but with the new confidence that she could pay her own bills.

Fiblet #3. Pauline had not left her home in over a year. With dementia, she felt safest in her apartment. Her brother consulted with me. How do I get my sister to move into an assisted living facility? The following fiblet was successfully brought to fruition. A letter was formulated to Pauline by moi, informing her there was a gas leak in the apartment house and that all tenants had to temporarily evacuate and would be housed in a local hotel, free of charge, until the condition was rectified. As the elder care consultant, I was assisted by personnel from the assisted living residence. On the designated day, they picked up Pauline and brought her to the "hotel."

Truth. Within weeks Pauline got herself a boyfriend. She lived at the residence for over three years, never once asking when that gas leak would be repaired.

Review of the Archimedes Bath Lift

There are a large number of individuals who are in dire need of some sort of assisted living because of some form of impairment. This number includes millions of elderly and the disabled that live in America. Sadly, these poor folk cannot take a bath. The effects of bathing are therapeutic, relaxing, and assures sound hygiene. Bathing is a necessary component of livelihood and the inability to bathe will produce results that are devastating to say the least.

Regrettably, the living quarters may have to be greatly altered or remodeled to assist the elderly and disabled. The remodeling of a bathroom can cost thousands of dollars to accommodate these people. Some of them will have to enter it into a hospital so that they can be taken care of just to take a bath! This experience can cause one to feel helpless and the feeling of helplessness can lead to depression. There have been cases that once these individuals reach the point of depression they lose their will to live. Unfortunately, their lives are cut short because of these sad scenarios.

What can be done to curtail this sadness, heartache and ultimately death? The Archimedes bath lift provides a tremendous answer to the consternation of the unfortunate. This outstanding bathtub lift will prevent the elderly and disabled from having to spend an enormous amount of money or entering into the foreign walls of an institution of assisted living. This type of bath lift is very unique with its many features and benefits.

It is eponymously named after Archimedes. Archimedes was one such individual that merits attention and respect. This brilliant scientist of yesteryear lived during the classical Greek period. Archimedes was a phenomenal mathematician, physicist, and inventor. He is famous for his work in geometry (on the circle, sphere, cylinder, and parabola), physics, mechanics, and hydrostatics.

The Archimedes bath lift is named after this distinguished expert in the field of science. It is a great choice for assisted bathing needs. The elderly and the disabled can enjoy the therapeutic and cleansing benefits of a warm bath free from slips and falls.

The Archimedes is one of the very best and desirable bath lifts for the disabled and elderly in the industry. This excellent product provides the user with an enjoyable bathing experience with its superb functionality, outstanding performance and great design. This accommodating bath lift is quickly becoming very popular among the public with the many features and benefits it offers.

This amazing bathtub lift is extremely lightweight which makes portability from one bathtub to the other easy. Since this product only weighs 22 pounds one can actually take it on vacation or while traveling.

For the taller person the Archimedes is the best in the industry. This superb bathtub lift has a high back rest and a longer seat for greater support. It provides the greatest leg room giving freedom and ease as the user ascends or descends in the bathtub.

Cleaning the Archimedes is executed in a trouble-free way. It simply breaks down into three parts. Either the caretaker or user can use a commercial bathroom cleaner to sanitize it. In a matter of minutes one has a fresh and clean bathtub lift ready to operate again.

It has a very attractive design that is sleek to behold. The Archimedes is made of a very sturdy construction to ensure proper durability and support. Furthermore, it comes in an all white color that looks appealing to the eye.

Fear of electrocution should never be a concern while operating the Archimedes bath lift. It is battery operated and all of the components are tightly sealed making water impenetrable to the electronics.

There are large flaps on the side to ensure an easy and safe transition as one sits on the Archimedes bath tub lift. All one has to do is simply sit down on the flap that is positioned on the edge of the bathtub and gently slide over. There is a single control that makes lowering into the bathtub and raising out of the bathtub a simple smooth transaction.

The Home Accessibility Store continues to be the leader in providing the public with assisted living. The Archimedes bath lift is just one of the many medical products that we offer. As evident in the above article this excellent product will give the elderly and the disabled hope, enjoyment, and a new outlook on life. Why would you enter into an assisted living institution or spend thousands of dollars remodeling your bathroom to give you the freedom to take a bath? For a very affordable price the Archimedes bath lift will give you the ability to bathe in dignity in the comfort of your own home. The Home Accessibility Store can provide you with this wonderful product, so contact us now and we will assist you with the utmost customer care. It's time to get your life back!

10 Tips For Choosing the Perfect In-Home Health Care Agency

When caring for your aging parent or loved one becomes overwhelming and you need a break, or when extra help is needed with bathing, feeding, dressing, household duties or if caring for them yourself is just not possible anymore, selecting an in-home health care provider is a good alternative.

Proper screening is essential to ensure that the person you choose has, not only the skills to provide excellent care, but also the right personality for the job. Consider these tips and hints and you will find that hiring an in-home heath care provider does not have to be stressful.

1. Evaluate Your Loved One's Needs
While some older adults just need assistance with basic living skills, others have additional health care needs that require a special skill set. Therefore, it is necessary to make a list of all of the duties that an in-home health care professional will need to provide so you can narrow down the list of candidates early on. If you are hiring through an agency, give them as much information from the start so they can match you up with someone who possesses all of knowledge and capabilities to give the best care possible to your loved one.
If your home health care worker will be assisting with bathing or dressing, it is important to discuss this with your loved one to make sure that they are comfortable with the gender of the companion. Women or men may become embarrassed when opposite gendered health care workers assist them with personal care and this may cause bath time to become stressful.

2. Speak With Local Experts
Before you go to the yellow pages or check out the classifieds for home heath aids, speak with neighbors, doctors, and elder care providers locally who can give you some recommendations and advice. Find out where other families have found in-home help and have them tell you about their experience. An administrator at a local nursing home may also have some suggestions for you on where to locate the best care giver. Support groups are a wealth of information, as well.

3. Create a Job Description
When you are ready to begin speaking with applicants and conducting interviews, start by writing a job description. The job duties can serve as talking points for your interview and also give the applicants a clear picture of what will be required of them.

4. Prepare Interview Questions
If you are not experienced at conducting formal interviews, you will benefit greatly by having a prepared list of questions. It will help you stay in control of the interview, not miss any key points, and make the best use of your time. Write it all down.

5. Outline an Employment Contract
Even if the person you select comes highly recommended and you and your family really hit it off with them, make sure to remain professional. This includes having them sign a contract that outlines your expectations, their duties, as well as boundaries. You can then refer back to the contract should a situation arise in the future. Often Home Health Agencies prepare the contracts themselves. Be sure to read them carefully and add anything that you wish to be included.

6. Personally Screen Candidates
Since the person you hire will be spending time alone with your parent or loved one, it is essential that you approve them yourself. Having an agency just send someone over is not acceptable in this situation. Even if they can paint a picture of a candidate's qualifications, because the job of health care provider is so intimate, personality is equally as important. If your loved one is able to participate in the interview, that is ideal. Regardless, they should spend some time together to make sure that they click.

7. Conduct a Background Check
Do not trust your intuition. When you think that you have found the person you want to hire, do conduct a background check to make sure that the person you hire does not have a questionable past.

8. Check References
Even if this is their first job in the field of health care, every applicant should be able to provide references. Ideally, these should come from past employers. Otherwise, professors, internship supervisors, and personal references can also be used.

9. Protect Your Home and Family
Since the health care provider you hire will most likely have free access to your home, possessions, and family members, find out if they are bonded. It they are not bonded themselves, find out if the agency that you hired them from is. Remember not to leave credit cards, checkbooks and personal papers in unsecured areas.

10. Stay Involved
Your job is not over once the contract is signed and employment has begun. The more of a presence you have in your loved one's life the better. Even if you can not be there in person, scheduling telephone meetings can let the health care provider know that you are involved and on top of things. Ask for progress reports and find out if there are any difficulties. Since the health care provider is around your loved one the most, they can give you the best information about their physical health as well as their state of mind.

One way to stay involved is to use a caregiver's organizer (which we just happen to offer on our website). The Caregiver's Companion is an organizational tool that has sections for personal information, family history, medications and side effects, medical appointments, and home health care workers notes. I hate selling, but this IS a very good tool in my opinion.

Oregon Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims are made when a person suffers injury from another person, object, or company. The injury can be physical, emotional or financial. The only thing is that, it has to be proved. Personal injuries may include: slip and fall injuries, nursing home abuse, car accidents, defective product injury, exposure to toxic materials, medical malpractices, wrongful death (due to negligence), drug injury, dog bite or job injuries.

Personal injury claims can be from the person/persons who have actually caused the injury or from the insurance company. A personal injury claim must address two main issues: liability (the person charged is truly and legally responsible for the damage) and damages (the damages claimed truly reflect the exact extent of the injury or loss suffered). As per Torts Law, the case can be based on any of the three grounds: negligence, strict liability and intentional wrong. In case of injury resulting in death, the family members of the deceased can claim damages.

Persons who file an Oregon personal injury claim are eligible to receive compensation for their pain and suffering, loss of income, permanent disability (if any), emotional distress, and any other injuries that have been proved to be a result of the personal injury.

For filing a claim, it is important to prove that: 1) the person/persons/company is legally responsible for the injury and 2) the damages claimed really reflect the real extent of the injury or loss. These two elements, known as liability and damage, are very important for personal injury claims.

Personal injury claims are subject to statues of limitations, which mean that the claim must be made within a particular time period from the time of the injury. Statues of limitations differ from state to state. Oregon has its own statues of limitation for personal injury cases.

While making personal injury claims, it is better to consult a good attorney who has expertise and experience in dealing with such cases. Information about these lawyers is available in Oregon yellow pages or on the Internet. Friends, colleagues and family members are also a good source of identifying a good Oregano personal injury lawyer.

Urinary Tract Infections Cause Dementia in the Elderly?

Recently I helped a family find a private care home for their mother who was in her mid 80's, living in a large assisted living facility and suffering from dementia, depression and loneliness. Her depression and loneliness had come on suddenly and she was talking about not wanting to live any longer. Her doctor had told the family that her dementia was progressing and made the suggestion that she move to a smaller care home where she would have more one-on-one attention.

During my evaluation with "Mom", I noticed that she was overly emotional and confused. The family and I realized that it was possible that her medications may not have been appropriately monitored or that she might need an adjustment, but I also pointed out that due to her emotional and mental state at the time of my visit, the family should have her checked out for a urinary tract infection and dehydration. I explained that it is believed that there is a connection to sudden symptoms of dementia or an increase in dementia symptoms and urinary tract infections. They were surprised at my suggestion, but also relieved that there could be an explanation other than a sudden progression of her dementia.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections and women tend to get UTIs more frequently than men. UTIs are infections of the urinary system, which consist of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. They can be very serious and sometimes life threatening. It can be difficult to determine if an Alzheimer's or dementia patient has a UTI because they may not be able to fully verbalize how they feel.

They may not understand or be able to express pain, feeling the need to urinate frequently, etc. An infection can cause an imbalance in the substances and salts in the blood and reduce the production of a hormone that contributes to the formation of red blood cells. UTIs in the elderly or people with Alzheimer's/dementias cannot only profoundly affect their physical health, but also severely impact their behavior such as disorganized thinking, disorientation to time and place, apathy or increased agitation.

Dr. Rajesh Tamp, Director of Psychiatry for Masonicare, feels that the connection between dementias and UTIs is not a widely understood as it needs to be and that people with urinary tract infections are often misdiagnosed as just a sign of dementia. A significant difference is that confusion or changes in behavior brought on by an infection will come about much more quickly than confusion resulting from dementia.

So, if an older person shows sudden signs of confusion or behavioral changes, it may not be connected to their dementia. The key here is to remember that even if an elderly person has Alzheimer's or dementia and is exhibiting sudden changes in physical, mental or emotional health, it would be advised to have them examined for a urinary tract infection. With treatment, their symptoms should ease and perhaps reverse altogether.

The Two Sides of Tort Reform

Certain political arguments seem to have enough fire on both sides to completely split people. There appears to be no middle ground and they serve as endless fodder for dinner party discussions or, at their worst, full on verbal fights. These seemingly never-ending arguments which are constantly thrown around in Congress during what seems to be every single legislative session include:

o Abortion

o Same sex rights

o Health care reform

o Tort reform

Tort reform and health care reform have recently gone hand in hand. Tort reform refers to proposed changes in the civil justice system in regards to the amount that can be awarded for damages in tort cases such as personal injury, medical malpractice or product liability cases.

The Two Elements of Tort Damages

There are two types of damages that individuals can seek in civil cases. They are:

o Economic damages: These represent financial losses, including lost wages or lost earning capacity, medical expenses, rehabilitation damages and life care expenses in the case of long term disability.

o Non-economic damages: These represent the injury itself such as physical and psychological harm, severe pain and emotional distress.

Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform

The most high profile of tort reform cases are medical malpractice cases. There are a number of people who insist that the large number of medical malpractice cases and the enormous monetary amount of awarded damages are hampering the care that doctors and nurses are able to give to patients. Both doctors and nurses are required to have high medical malpractice insurance to protect them from possible suits.

One of the main elements of reform proposals is limiting non-economic damages. Non-economic damages do not have a direct number. There is no way to mathematically approach how much monetary compensation is needed to reduce the effects of emotional suffering.

Thus, proponents of medical malpractice tort reform want the focus to stay on specifics like additional medical costs. In many states, there have been limits placed on non-economic damages to keep them between $150,000 and $1,000,000.

The collective side against reform believes that limiting damages is not fair to those suffering from the death of a loved one or debilitating and permanent injuries. They believe that medical malpractice suits keep medical professionals in check and that they may actually enhance their performance.

For more information on the two sides of tort reform, visit the website of the Law Office of William K. Goldfarb.

What You Need to Know About Pharmacy Technician Training

Thousands of Technicians are Hired Each Year

Pharmacy technicians are employed by a number of businesses. According to the United States Department of Labor, about two-thirds work in retail pharmacies. These retail businesses include drugstores, supermarkets and mass retail chains. According to USA TODAY, Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore chain by sales and profits, employs nearly 39,000 technicians. CVS, the largest retail chain in terms of store count, employs around 41,000 pharmacy technicians. The remaining third of pharmacy technicians are employed by hospitals and other medical care facilities.

While pharmacy technicians are in high demand, technicians with formal training are in the highest demand. Over the next ten years, as the demand for healthcare needs in the middle-aged and elderly generations increase, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow rapidly. Salary.com states that in 2007 the average pharmacy technician salary was $27,261, with the lowest 10 percent making less than $21,663 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $34,544. Employees with the greatest amount of training earned the most.

Technicians are Desperately Needed

Pharmacy technicians perform a variety of tasks, most often assisting the pharmacists, filling prescriptions, and performing various customer service tasks. Another common task includes directing patient questions regarding drug information, health matters or prescriptions to the pharmacist.

Filling prescriptions is the main duty for a pharmacy technician. Once an order is received, they must verify the prescription information is accurate and then count, pour, measure, weigh, and in some cases, mix the medication. The technician is also responsible for preparing patient insurance forms and maintaining patient profiles. Job duties will differ according to workplace. Other duties could include answering phone calls, handling money, stocking shelves and data entry.

Pharmacy technicians who work in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities have different responsibilities than retail employees. Pharmacy technicians in the medical care field are responsible for reading patient charts, preparing and delivering medicine to nurses, who then administer it to patients. Technicians package and label each dose of medication by hand or packaging machines.

Technician Training Offers Real World Training

In the past, technicians have only received on-the-job training, but as the job market is becoming increasing competitive, employers are requiring professional training. Employers want their employees to understand the pharmaceutical business because it is becoming increasingly more complex. Formal training programs are comprised of a combination of classroom and lab work. Students often partake in internship programs where they obtain real world, hands-on experience. Most formal training programs result in a diploma, a certificate or an Associates degree.

Pharmacy technician training courses may include:

* Basic Medical Terminology

* Human Diseases

* Alternative Medicines

* Hospital and Retail Pharmacy Procedures

* Drug Classifications

* HIPAA

* Pharmacy Law and Ethics

* History of Medicine and Pharmacy

* Prescription Processing

* Body Systems

Certified Technicians Earn Better Wages

Once training is complete, students have the opportunity to take the National Pharmacy Certification Examination. This exam is not required in most states, but many employers prefer individuals who have passed the exam. Passing the exam makes you more valuable in the competitive job market. In order to take the exam, you must have a high school diploma or a GED and cannot have any felony convictions on your record.

It is important to note that certified pharmacy technicians must be re-certified every two years. In addition, they must complete at least 20 contact hours each year. Attending lectures, completing college coursework, and specialized on-the-job training are all ways to complete contact hours. Employers often provide employees reimbursement for their certification costs.

Now is a great time to get into the pharmacy technician field. The field is growing rapidly and employers are actively seeking well-trained employees. Training takes less time than traditional programs, so it is a great choice for people with busy schedules. After a few years in the field, many people choose to further their education and continue on to pharmacist school.

Considerations to Make For Retirement Communities

Regardless of the inevitability of old age, lots of seniors are inclined to overlook the fact they may need to avail the service of retirement communities soon. This is because they refuse to know the belief that their children will soon remove of their homes as they begin to start their own families to look after. Some are caught unaware, causing them to suddenly move into a retirement community the moment that they feel overwhelmed by the need to maintain a home on their own.

It is significant not to put off deciding a retirement community to join. Lots of seniors avoided planning for old age and the risk of poor health that accompanies it. In fact, there are many stories of how senior citizens suddenly have to find whatever retirement community will accept them the moment they fall ill, only to discover that they are too ill to cope with the strain of moving to a fresh community, filling out the right paperwork, and making other arrangements.

It is for this reason that it is advisable to commence making these arrangements even prior to the care of a retirement community becomes an absolute necessity. This way, stressful points of moving, where to move, how much to pay, what paper work needs accomplishing, and the like, will have been answered just before illness strikes. The moment it does, the well-prepared seniors will be confident that a retirement community will take them in, look after them unconditionally, and will permit them to entertain visitors and family.

It is first essential to think about the type of care coverage you wish to avail. There are people who join continuing care communities so that they can move to independent living quarters in a predominantly senior community before illness strikes. The moment they start to require nursing services or assisted living services, they'll simply be chosen assisted living apartments or nursing home furnished rooms within an identical community they are step in, the moment the need arises.

Others select specific retirement community arrangements, be it independent living quarters, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes, respectively. They will then avail of these services and pay the fees the moment that they choose to.

Apart from living arrangements, it may also be essential to consider the kind of social life you might require as you mature. Active seniors discover predominantly senior communities that possess health clubs and other sporting facilities, so that they're able to stay healthy and fit since they mature. Others opt for those with clubhouses that will allow them to mingle with other retirees in their community.

Those who have children will also need to take into consideration the retirement communities that are closest to where their children live. This will survive easier for their children to notice them more frequently than if they lived in a farther state. In order to ensure that you are obtaining the foremost services available in the whole country, do check if the retirement community is accredited by Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This will be of assistance ensure that the retirement facility complies with the standards set for all retirement communities in the nation.

An unaccredited retirement community may need you to scrutinize more closely the contract, the facility, and the services they propose to ensure that you get a service of least ways similar quality.

Assisted Living Activities

Seniors in Assisted Living homes may not be able to do everything a younger and more agile person can do, but they certainly can still be active and not everything has to be done while sitting or lying down.

Activities can be creatively modified to incorporate canes, walkers, slower movement, sitting, etc, but still offer the elderly opportunities for fitness, health, brain activity, laughter, participation and good quality daily living.

Where images of bingo and bridge easily come to mind as activities for assisted living seniors, you should also consider Nintendo Wii, wheelchair races, dress up parties, sing alongs, dances, crafts, cooking, baking and so very much more.

Nintendo Wii can offer bowling, golf and other balance and agility movements that don't have to jeopardize an elderly persons balance and risk of falling. Musical instruments can aid in relaxation, creative expression and group participation as well. Crafts can give the elderly a project that requires some focus, creativity and sense of accomplishment when completed. These can be shown off or given as gifts to their friends or family.

No matter how old one gets the joy of singing and laughing will always leave one feeling happier and joyful. All the more it should be a regular part of the lives of the elderly since they can begin to feel down about their health, distance from family or their simple lack of enthusiasm.

With the availability of CD's and DVD's a senior in assisted living can have a library of old-time TV or radio shows at their disposal such as "The Lucy Show", "Laugh In", "Abbot and Costello", "Perry Mason", "Gunsmoke", "Bob Hope" and many more. Sing along DVD's can be used by one senior, but create a fun atmosphere for many senior citizens to join in together for some much-loved and remembered favourites. Use these during a party and when not dancing to the music, they can all be singing along.

More activities for seniors in assisted living are:

• Gardening
• Computer class
• Pet visits
• Bible studies
• Trivia games
• Vaudeville night
• Movie night
• Pizza parties
• Dance-a-thons
• Wheelchair/walker races
• Costume parties
• Photo sessions
• Barbecues
• Story telling
• Crafts

Aging-in-Place With Universal and Adaptable Design

Homes That Grow Gracefully With You

As we enter into retirement, we begin to face some very difficult questions about the future of our families and our ability to maintain our independence through the retirement years. We have a strong desire to retain our autonomy as long as possible and not rely on family members for assistance with daily living. Universal and adaptable design concepts optimize space in our homes to accommodate a wide range of individuals with varying physical abilities, allow people to stay in their homes longer, and keep families together.

What is Aging-in-Place?

Aging-in-place means living in your home safely, comfortably, and independently, regardless of age or ability level. It allows you to continue living in a familiar environment throughout your maturing years. Aging-in-place is the ability to remain in your home for a lifetime.

Quick Facts...

One-quarter of the U.S. population is over age 50.

From 2000 to 2030 the over 65 population will double.

By 2030, the population of older people will likely increase to over 69 million persons.

By 2050, the U.S. will account for 79 million people over age 65.

The net worth of seniors is five times greater than the average net worth of all U.S. citizens.

What is universal and adaptable design?

Ron Mace, founder and program director of the Center for Universal Design, defines universal design as "the design of products and environments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design". For our purposes, we will limit the term "universal design" as it applies to home design and related products.

Adaptable design, on the other hand, allows the easy modification of a space to accommodate a specific need. Where universal design benefits everyone regardless of ability, adaptable design provides access to spaces or products through alteration or the addition of an assistive device that bridges an existing barrier to its use. Adaptable design is defined by ANSI A117.1 (American National Standards Institute) as, "the ability of certain building elements, such as kitchen counters, sinks, and grab bars, to be added to, raised, lowered, or otherwise altered so as to accommodate the needs of either persons with or without disabilities, or to accommodate the needs of persons with different types or degrees of disability".

The differences between universal and adaptable design may be obscure at times. One could consider the installation of grab bars in a shower to be universal as anyone can use the bar for balance or safety. But the installation of the backing (structural support) for grab bars may be considered adaptable if the intent is to install the bars at a future time when needed to provide access to the use of the shower by a person with a disability. It is this obscurity that points to the fact that universal and adaptable design is not a matter of listing items as features; rather, it is a philosophy of design. The philosophy of universal design is summarized by the Principles of Universal Design developed by the Center for Universal Design (see Sidebar).

THE PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Copywrite 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.

"The Principles of Universal Design were conceived and developed by The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. Use or application of the Principles in any form by an individual or organization is separate and distinct from the Principles and does not constitute or imply acceptance or endorsement by The Center for Universal Design of the use or application."

What are some applications of universal and adaptable design?

Universal design encompasses a wide scope of home design and modification extending from landscaping and low maintenance exterior and interior finishes to specific features that enhance the use and safety of bathrooms and kitchens. The use of energy efficient building materials and solar design, for example, may be considered universal design criteria because it benefits everyone who uses it.

Some of the major areas we look at, from the perspective of universal design, are entrances and pathways leading to entrances, overall interior accessible features, kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping areas. Let's take each of these individually and look at ways that we can improve the usability of each.

Entrances and pathways

One of the first things to consider in universal design is how to eliminate barriers to access from a vehicle drop-off point to an accessible entrance. To make a pathway usable for a person using a wheelchair or other assistive device, we need to limit the slope of the walkway to a maximum change of 1 foot for every 20 feet up or down to the entry. We prefer to use earth berms, bridges or retaining walls instead of front ramps that may suggest a vulnerable resident. Anyone moving heavy furniture in or out of the home will love this feature!

The entry itself has many facets to look at in terms of accessibility. These items include providing weather shelter, a no-step entry with a threshold less than ½" high, maneuvering space on both sides of the door, sidelights or "peepholes" to view visitors, and adequate lighting to operate locks and provide security.

Overall features of the home

Here, we are going to explore some universal design features that aren't specific to any one room, but should be considered as general applications.

Whether the home is designed for aging-in-place or simply for visitability, we want to create easy access to the main living areas and facilities. This can be accomplished by providing a minimum clear opening of 32" on all doors to accessible areas and a 40" minimum clear circulation route through rooms and hallways. We also want to provide a minimum of 18" beside the door latch for easy operation for people using assistive devices. Lever handles allow use with an elbow, forearm or wrist for people who have difficulty gripping or twisting a doorknob.

Another consideration would be the placement of electrical outlets, switches and other operable controls. Raised outlets between 18" and 22" above the floor falls within the range of use for a person in a seated position and also aids people who have problems stooping over. Placing light switches and other controls a maximum of 48" above the floor allows their use from a seated position. Children also have an easier time using these switches.

Safety in the home is another big consideration addressed through universal design. Non-slip floor surfaces will help avoid falls and aid in the use of walkers and wheelchairs. Telephones installed in strategic locations, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, will help summon assistance if needed. Also, lowered window sill heights to a maximum of 36" high will enhance the use of windows for egress in case of fire or other emergency.

Kitchens

Kitchens are notorious in excluding their use for a variety of people and there are many universal design "standards" that apply to this area of the home. Even though the application of universal criteria to the kitchen is typically design specific, we will cover some of the more critical design choices.

We first want to be sure we have proper floor space that is suitable for all users, including people who use wheelchairs. Optimally, we would like to see a 5' clear turning radius in the kitchen, but, as a minimum, we want to provide a 30" x 48" approach in front of all appliances. We also want to provide knee space under the sink and cooktop, as well as a lowered counter (also with knee space) at a work area for a person in a seated position. Some adaptable criteria may come into play here with removable base cabinets or doors that swing out for roll-under access.

Continuous counters between work areas may be a universal design consideration. An example would be having a sink and cooktop on the same run of counter so that a heavy object could slide between the two without having to pick it up. Another idea might be to have a sprayer or faucet located to fill coffee makers or pots without lifting.

The selection and placement of appliances need to be considered for ease of use. Controls need to be placed within the range of reach for persons in a seated position. The maximum reach height of 48" for all kitchen controls apply here. Forward reach over obstructions should also be considered, but this is client specific and mathematical formulas are used to determine forward reach ranges. Front mounted controls are easy to use for everyone, but consideration needs to be taken in terms of access to small children. Side-by-side refrigerators are also accessible to everyone.

A raised dishwasher, as well as raised washer / dryer in the laundry room, improves its use for both people using wheelchairs and those having problems stooping over to load the machine. There is also a long list of cabinet features that improve access, such as pull-out shelves, lazy susans, and roll out waste containers. Adequate task lighting is also a major consideration in the kitchen.

Bathrooms

Safety is the number one priority in the bathroom as it is the room with the highest number of accidents in the home. Non-slip surfaces are essential both inside and outside the tub / shower area. As mentioned earlier, grab bars enhance the safety for everyone, but are especially important to people who have an increased risk of falling. They are also very important for people who use wheelchairs to enable transfer to shower seats and toilets. Pressure balanced / anti-scald valves are another safety feature that benefits everyone.

Access for people using assistive devices is critical in the bathroom. Curb-less showers allow people to roll-in or avoid tripping over a curb at the shower pan. (This feature has also spurred some very beautiful bathroom designs!) Dimensions around toilets are critical for access and 30" x 48" minimum approach area in front of all bathroom fixtures is needed. (These clearances can overlap.)

There are many accessories available for shower / tub modifications that improve safety and convenience. Recessed soap and shampoo ledges, various seats and benches, and adjustable height / hand-held shower with slide bars, just to name a few.

Bedrooms

One of the important features we want to look for in the bedroom is that there is adequate clearance for maneuvering around the bed and proper clearances for emergency egress, either at a door or a window with a lowered sill. Proper clearance should be considered for adaptable devices, such as a Med-Pole (a stainless steel assistive device) or Hoya lift. The doorways to accessible areas, like the bathroom and closet, need to be a minimum of 32" wide as mentioned earlier. Adjustable shelves and clothes rods in the closet are very helpful to accommodate a wide range of reach.

Summary

Aging-in-Place means maintaining independence and control of your life. Your environment plays a key role in achieving that goal and steps should be taken to improve the usability, safety and comfort of your home.

This begins with a comprehensive personal assessment and home audit for independence that may be performed by a medical professional or a trained aging-in-place specialist. With this information, solutions for home modification can be developed. Some of these modifications may be done yourself, such as using brighter lighting and slip-free mats. Other modifications will require a trained professional for widening doors and various remodel projects in bathrooms and kitchens.

Whether you are considering remodeling or designing a new home, look for professionals who have the experience to accurately assess your needs and find the solutions that will make your house a home for a lifetime. One resource for finding qualified professionals is the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). They have created the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to help you identify industry professionals with the skills and knowledge specific to home modifications for aging-in-place.