Planning the Layout of a Nursing Home

There are a number of different things to consider when designing a nursing home which does not always focus on the nursing home furniture. Furniture is an important factor in the layout of the home, as the furniture you choose must be comfortable, beneficial and withstand the test of time. Many of the patients living in the hospital are in constant need of care and some are unable to manoeuvre themselves without a lot of pain.

The main reason why a nursing home needs to be designed in such a strict manner is so that the patients can be served for therapeutic and preventive rehabilitation care. These are provided for non acute or long term conditions, with many of these patients being old, frail or bedridden. Some will require canes, walkers or wheelchairs to help them manoeuvre around the area. As the patients are normally in a nursing home for a long period then it makes sense to provide them comfortable surroundings, including comfortable nursing home furniture.

When picking out nursing home furniture there are a few things that one would need to know and this means doing a little bit of research. Each furnishing is designed for specific comfort zones, such as an armchair designed to keep the persons lower back comfortable and protected. Others are designed with an elevated foot rest designed to help with circulation in the legs. Some beds are adjustable and may have a specific kind of mattress designed for those with a bad posture.

Even patients that are residing for a short period and are there for recovery will need to be given the right furnishing to stay in. As with a lot of other nursing homes, the designing can be challenging because there are so many different things to consider and it becomes easy to forget one vital element. As most of the patients are unlikely to leave the premises, it is important to make the home a comfortable world to them as this will be a whole world for them to live in. The furniture you choose must be comfortable and practical.

As long as the home is patient-centred and the primary focus is on patient-care then you should have no problems with keeping the residents happy. Good features of a perfectly run nursing home are a homely environment, high standard od cleanliness and sanitation, and efficiency of space. This is when the space utilised should take into account that distances are reachable and not too difficult to reach to. Travelling between spaces is the biggest problem because many of the residents will find it difficult to even walk across a room. If the furniture is placed in such a way that residents will not find it difficult to manoeuvre around they will feel more at home.

Absolute Truth About Rehabilitation and Care Centers and Nursing Homes

Have you ever really wondered what it is like to live inside of a nursing home? Have you considered it? Are you considering it now? Are you one of those people whose family is asking you to consider going into a nursing home? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you have come to the right place. Right here, right now, you are going to get answers. Yes. I will give you answers to the questions you have asked or might have asked, any questions you have about nursing homes, living in nursing homes, visiting nursing homes and even yes, even observing in nursing homes.

Since this is such a broad topic, I will give the answers in a series of articles, not in this one article. This one article will be just the beginning of a series. So, settle down, get a piece of paper or a notebook handy so that you can make notes about things that interest you, and you will be all set to read the rest of the article.

First, a word of advice. If you feel this is going to be helpful to you, and I promise it will, put this article in your favorites or email it to yourself and email it to your family. This way, even if you lose the website or if your computer crashes, you will be able to go to your favorites and read it again and again and email it to others again. Later on in the month, I will come back to this article and actually put a link in here that will help you find this article and more related articles about health care and health care services.

Now, to begin. Say you want to visit a nursing home and just check it out --not stay, but just observe the home and see what it is like. Now that the parts of the nursing home that the person will show you will be the BEST parts of the nursing home, not the worst parts of it. If you need an appointment to get a tour of the place, then that should be a red flag. You should be able to see a nursing home as soon as possible, not to make an appointment to see it. After all, you just want to look, that is all. And what time can looking take?

So, first, you make your appointment if you have to. Ask others if they have been there or if they have lived there and ask their direct opinion about the place. Usually you will get honest answers. But beware of this. MOST employees, staff or private contractors that work inside or that volunteer inside of the place, most of them will give positive reports. Think about it. They are employed there and they have something, everything to lose if they say anything bad about the place. If they tell you that they have relatives in there and they are being treated fairly and good, know that the relatives of staff, of course, receive better and best treatment, so much more than the other residents receive. And if you think this is not true, then you are dreaming. It is a fact, that if a relative works in the nursing home where you are, you will or might receive more attention, better treatment. It just makes sense. But even then, depending on the place, you can still receive bad treatment inside of nursing homes that are not run properly.

So, you visit and you observe and you take everything with a grain of salt. What you need is the real honest opinions, thoughts and observations of those that have been inside of these places , for hours, days and even weeks, and then you will truly get an honest opinion. CATCH? You need this person to be not affiliated, not working and not volunteering there at the place. This is why you have come to the right place here.

I am not affiliated, not employed, not a volunteer with any nursing home or rehabilitation and care center, though I have spent many long hours, days, weeks and even months inside these places visiting, and observing, making mental notes about treatments and about what I saw inside there. So, you have a first hand report of what it is like to live inside of a nursing home or inside of a bad rehabilitation and care center.

Not only do I have that experience but I have the notes and emails and other thorough input from readers of my articles and from readers and authors of other books about nursing homes. So this is a good base for the series of these articles.

In my next article, I will give you a total inside look of your first day inside the home and we will progress from there.

Finding the Right Senior Care Job For You

The senior care industry is one of the most solid and resilient ones to work in, since it is largely unaffected by economical and other factors. If you're looking for a career that will earn you a steady, reliable income for the foreseeable future, you should consider senior care jobs. If you've already decided to pursue employment in the assisted living, nursing home or hospice fields, you may be having trouble narrowing down which job is right for you. Below, you'll find a handful of tried-and-true tips for finding the nursing home, hospice and assisted living jobs that are the most likely to be the perfect match for you.

• Consider Your Personality - The first thing that you should do when looking for senior care jobs is to consider what your personality is like. Are you the kind of person who loves being around others, and who enjoys helping people in one-on-one ways? If so, an RN job in the senior care industry might be right for you. On the other hand, if you prefer "behind-the-scenes" work, a nursing home administrator job might be up your alley. Be realistic and make sure that you select a job that meshes well with your personality.

• Lay Out Your Goals - If you're at the beginning of your career, now's the time to map out what your ultimate goals are so that you can pursue them in the most efficient way possible. Do you envision yourself staying put in one place for several years, or would you prefer to climb a "corporate ladder" of sorts? Zero in on jobs in this industry that will allow you to realize your goals. And remember, it is never too late to learn. If you are already in senior care, then mapping out your goals will help you identify areas that require you to complete further education to keep you from being pigeonholed into a position that you're not going to be happy with for the long haul.

• Start Small - Most of the time, it is best to take part-time or temporary assisted living jobs before signing on for longer-term employment. If you've never worked in this industry, there's always the chance that you'll discover that it's not right for you. More than likely, though, you will find your nursing home job to be wonderfully fulfilling.

• Be Flexible - Finally, if you're even remotely uncertain about how long you plan to work in the senior care industry, leave yourself some wiggle room by pursuing a job that translates well in other industries. For instance, an RN job in the industry can prepare you for RN work at clinics, hospitals and other facilities. In fact, most positions in senior care are available in many other places, which is why working in the industry can be such a fantastic opportunity

Senior Citizen Abuse

News headlines report of senior citizen abuse, most everyday. Long gone are the values and moralities of our grandparent's generation. Time was when a handshake, or your word was all that was necessary to honor commitments. Gone are the days on an unlocked house, open windows, or sitting out back alone.

The elderly in today's society can, unfortunately, encounter many traumatic events for no cause of their own. Predators watch and learn learn an old person's schedule, like, when they leave their homes and when they are likely to return, what times they get up or go to bed, and if they are handicapped or ill by the comings and goings of a visiting nurse.

Many in the society of today appear to have lost all respect for other people's property. It seems these people are without limits, with nothing more important than self-serving tactics. Who cares if an old person is lonely, in pain, or needs assistance?

Many times, the media tells us about a kid that brutally beat elderly parents, grandparents, or elderly strangers. Without any motivation, other than pursuing what they want, senior citizens can become their prey. And, if they want something you have in your home, you could be their next victim.

But, not all attackers are strangers, and the elderly person might not be beaten, robbed, or brutally murdered by the hands of an unknown person. Sometimes, the attacker is a family member, relative, or friend.

When elderly people are attacked or threatened, how are they to protect themselves? Many don't possess the strength or agility to fight back or run. They can fall down stairs, against door jams, or be trapped in a wheelchair. Many times they do not understand what or why this is happening to them, because the person doing them harm is someone they trusted.

Perhaps a friend or relative lives in the senior citizen's home to provide assistance and/or companionship. This person might get angry because they don't want the responsibility of caring for an older person. Perhaps they feel as if their freedom has been taken from them. If the elderly person has adequate finances, the one that is supposed to be looking out for the well-being of the senior begins to feel that they should be compensated or rewarded excessively.

An elderly person who refuses to give money or sign over their property, risks being violently attacked by a family member or friend. It could be an adult son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter, or a friend. Most elderly people hesitate to report abuse from a relative or friend. Many are in failing health, and don't know who to turn to for help. Or, perhaps, they fear the attacker will retaliate and things will get much worse, if they report the abuse.

Aging can be a lonely and painful experience. Some senior citizens were attacked and left alone to endure the pain and shame. Many could not get to their phone to call for help. But, if they would have had an emergency alarm, the help they needed could have been summoned.

A small device, disguised as a pendant or wristwatch can save lives, literally. There is no need to get to a phone. Help and assistance is no further away than the end of the finger. As easy as pushing a button on the device calls an emergency operator, and help can be on the way.

Many times, long-term injuries or death can be the result of not being able to get the care when it is needed. A personal security device can provide peace of mind, and is a true friend in need. Senior citizens can live independently knowing they have the ability to get help whenever they need.

Medical Surgical Nursing - One Of The Top 10 Most Rewarding Careers?

When it comes to the Top 10 rewarding careers, nursing should most certainly make that list. With better than average pay and tons of intangible rewards that comes from helping people, there are few other professions considered as noble as this one. Many who choose to enter the field do so with their eyes set on a medical surgical nursing career to really capitalize on the benefits the profession has to offer.

Medical surgical nursing is a bit more specialized than many other areas in the profession. These nurses tend to require a little more training, whether in school, on-the-job or both. Those who choose to go this route should make sure they have a few necessary characteristics, however. These include:

* Endurance. Medical surgical nursing can be very demanding, especially when things happen to go wrong in the operating room. This means a two-hour operation could turn into a four-hour ordeal. A medical surgical nurse will be expected to endure the entire time, performing at the peak of his or her ability.

* Stress handling ability. While not all operations create high-stress situations, any could turn that way on a time. With this in mind, those who want to enter medical surgical nursing will need to be certain they can handle the pressures that might come along with the job. There's no do-overs in the operating room.

* Willingness to take orders. While all nurses must be able to take and carry out orders, medical surgical nursing can present more face-to-face encounters with doctors than other areas of hospital work. Those who don't mind constant contact with doctors thrive in this area.

* Ability to stomach blood. All areas of nursing come along with some sights, sounds and smells that are not very pleasant, but medical surgical nursing professionals tend to see it all - all the time. If a nurse is in the slightest bit queasy, this might not be the specialty for them.

* Willingness to take extra classes. Since medical surgical nursing is a specialty, there might be extra certifications involved, and extra course work, depending on the state in question. Since surgery techniques are always being improved, continuing education is a must for those entering medical surgical nursing.

Medical surgical nursing can be a fantastic specialty for those who like to really get in the center of the action in helping patients. The specialty is not for everyone, however, and should be carefully weighed before it's pursued.

Who Pays for Nursing Home Care---A Tale of Three Friends

John, Doug and Ben were all neighbors in a typical blue-collar working-class neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA. They had all grown up together, best friends since childhood.

John had always been taught to be careful with his money, saving for the proverbial rainy day. If he didn't have enough money to pay cash for something, he did without. His vacations, if any, consisted of visiting friends in other states, sleeping in their guest bedrooms. He married early, and he and his wife, Ethel, both shared his frugal philosophy. Sharing a single teabag was typical of how they saved money. As the years went by, they managed to accumulate a significant but by no means huge financial cushion. Their house was eventually paid off, and by delaying his first receipt of Social Security until he was 70, John was able to continue his working years and increase his monthly checks from Social Security.

Doug, on the other hand, lived it up at every opportunity, figuring that you never know when your number might be called, so why bother to save? His vacations included gambling junkets in 'Vegas, fancy resorts in Hawaii, and extended ski trips to Vail. His wife, Madge, also shared his philosophy, and was never chastised for running up the credit card bill with numerous purchases of clothing and jewelry she just "had" to have. To pay for all their trips and purchases, Doug and Madge refinanced their home several times, always trying to get more cash out of their deals each time. By taking early retirement, Doug gave up the chance to sock away a little more in his bank account, but by this time in his life he had finally started to slow down, and such fast living had taken its toll on him.

Ben was luckier than his friends John and Doug, having inherited a sizable fortune at age 28. He worked for a local publishing house, but never had to worry too much about where his next dollar was coming from. Ben was always a big eater, often polishing off a huge steak late at night, a second dinner, really. Unfortunately, Ben's health began to deteriorate in his early 60s, and he had to have a quintuple bypass at age 68. Lucky for him, the $100,000 cost was completely covered by Medicare, so he never even had to touch his family wealth.

Doug's physical health was fine, but he began to be more and more forgetful as time went by. Eventually, he was diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease and he took up residence in a nearby nursing home that specialized in Alzheimer's patients. The $220 a day cost was completely covered by Medicaid, the federal program that pays for the long-term care of the indigent. Eventually, Madge had to sell the house to move into assisted living, and what little equity she had built up in it went to pay off the credit card debt.

What about John? Because of his prudence and frugality, he had managed to accumulate over $300,000, not bad for a guy from the inner city. In addition, after 30 years, he had finally paid off his house, so he and Ethel owned it free and clear. They hoped and expected one day to pass it on to their three fine children, as a legacy.

Unfortunately, John suffered a fall at age 70, and his health went downhill from that point forward. He had to move out of his house into a nearby nursing home, where Ethel could visit him frequently. The monthly cost of the nursing home exceeded $7,500 per month. Because of John's accumulated assets, he could not qualify for Medicaid, and had to pay privately. His wife could barely get by on the money left at the end of the month after all the expenses were paid. Her constant worrying about finances and John's condition took a toll on her, and she died with John still in the nursing home.

After about four years of nursing home bills, John's lifetime of savings had been completely depleted, and he finally qualified for Medicaid. The title of the home had passed to John upon Ethel's death by operation of law, since they had owned it jointly. The home was an exempt asset and did not have to be sold to pay for John's care. However, following his death three years later, estate recovery---the federally mandated program to recoup Medicaid expenses after a person dies---forced a sale of his home to pay back the state, and his children got nothing.

Ben, the wealthy friend, managed to continue living for many years after his heart bypass. Lucky for him that the government never considered his wealth when it paid for his operation!

Doug managed to fritter away any money he ever had, and the government willingly paid for his nursing home care. After all, he was broke---what else can be done?

Finally, John, too, died penniless, leaving his children nothing, after a lifetime of conservative and frugal living. Why had he bothered? He and his friend Doug wound up in the same situation, in the end!

An elder law attorney could have helped John preserve his lifetime of savings and protected his house, too. Unfortunately, this was one area where John's caution and frugality worked against him---he hated paying lawyers what he viewed as outrageously excessive fees---and his children wound up with nothing.

Five Reasons to Enroll in a Healthcare Administration Program

A healthcare administration degree can help you pursue a bright and enriching career, whether you're a professional inside the industry or someone keen to break into it. Of course, it requires about four years or more of sweat, toil, anxiety, and money before you can start reaping the fruit of your labor.

Only after you have successfully waded through the mountains of coursework; endured the stress of preparing project reports; fought sleep on study nights; and braved the anguish of assessment days are you finally ready to don the coveted graduation gown and hat.

But what have you worked so hard for? A bright and enriching career for sure, but what exactly makes it so? Here are five factors that may make a career in healthcare administration the stuff dreams are made of, and why enrolling in a healthcare administration degree program could be a smart choice.

1. Job Security: Layoffs. Bankruptcies. Pay cuts. Reduced working hours. Decreased production. Diminishing demand. Whichever direction you turn, these are the words that cut like knife through your heart. Like it or not, such is the reality of the times we live in. Jobs are hard to come by and job security is a feeling that retired about the same time as our folks. Except for one bright spot that continues to shine through the dark clouds of economic recession: healthcare. The nature of the industry, which is among the largest employers in the country, makes it more or less resistant to financial ups and downs. Healthcare administration is one of the primary healthcare occupations and hence can offer stability and security at a time when almost every other industry seems to have been consumed by the recession.

2. Employment Opportunities: Healthcare administrators held 303,000 jobs in the year 2010, and the profession is likely to add 68,000 more jobs through 2020*. The growth in employment of healthcare administrators is projected to be much faster than average for all occupations, spurred by an increase in the number of baby boomers reaching retirement age and requiring professional medical services. Clearly, there's no dearth of jobs for graduates of healthcare administration degree programs.

3. Paycheck: While puritans of academia will argue against the wisdom of treating college education as business investment, the current economic environment does not leave any room for being a romantic. The truth is that you spend a precious amount of money on getting a college degree and hence, are absolutely justified in expecting returns from it. The excellent ROI they offer is one of the biggest things going in favor of healthcare degrees. As for healthcare administrators, they can make up to $84,270 per year in this profession, depending on education, experience, and location**.

4. Management Roles: Healthcare administrators are also called health service managers. Needless to say, it is a responsible position that can provide you a taste of life as a manager/leader. You make important decisions, you drive change, you decide business strategy, you implement organization-wide policies, you bring in improvements and efficiency, you attract talent, you mentor, you guide, you influence, and you impact how things function in your facility.

Of course, specific roles depend on your qualification, specialty, and the size of the facility. In really large facilities, senior executive and management roles are typically reserved for graduates of Master's in Health Care Administration programs or other business/healthcare degrees.

5. Social Contribution: Healthcare administrators are not involved in direct patient care. They may not even visit patients all that often. But they touch the patient's life on several levels. First, by continually making efforts to improve the quality of the healthcare delivery system. Second, by developing and leading healthcare outreach programs. Third, by advocating policy changes to improve the state of healthcare in society. And finally, by taking care of the more mundane details of running a healthcare facility, so doctors, nurses, and other primary healthcare providers can concentrate on caring for their patients.

Sources:
*bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
**Ibid.

The Critical Importance of Recreation For Senior Citizens

As our population ages, there is increasing emphasis on teaching and learning lifelong recreational skills. Research has shown that recreation is an important part of an individual's social behavior. Recreation plays a critical role in the lives of older adults by contributing to an improved quality of life. People who participate in recreational activities as senior citizens report significantly more life satisfaction than those who do not.

Physical recreation is especially important. Engaging in physical activity reduces almost every risk of disease, including heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer and diabetes. Participation in recreational activities improves mental health, as well. Again, research shows that older individuals who participate in recreational activities have better coping behaviors in response to stressful life events and daily frustrations. They learn that social support is important, and available, through these activities.

Unfortunately, we have come to view our older years as a time of diminishing activity and social interaction. As a result of these expectations, aging folks often assume they are incapable of recreational activity or that it will not be available to them. They often cite scarce financial resources, lack of transportation or declining health as reasons for avoiding these important activities. Although there is some validity to these concerns, we often overlook the increasing resources that are being dedicated to wellness among senior citizens. Some of these resources are:

• Travel programs. Fees are usually required, but deep discounts for seniors are often available.


• Volunteering. Seniors bring valuable experience, wisdom and compassion to others


• Elderhostel. A world-wide travel program bringing affordable adventure and learning to seniors


• Theme parks. Senior days! Special entry fees!


• Entertainment and arts. Museum and theatre tours often provide discounts and transportation to seniors


• Local parks and recreation programs. Great outdoor activities


• Community Gardening. Check with your local parks and recreation office


• Senior citizen centers. Free or reduced price meals and more!


• Book clubs. Reading and socialization are a potent therapeutic combination for the brain

It is important for senior citizens and those who care for them to seek out recreational activities even at this time when they may be reluctant to do so. Research indicates that seniors who participate in these kinds of activities tend to remain active once they begin.

Western cultures sometimes view their aging populations as economic and social liabilities. In fact, when they are nurtured, they become assets. Recreational activities can provide help and motivation that seniors require to enable them to contribute their valuable time and wisdom in return for that nurturance.

Going to a Nursing Home Following a Hospital Stay

Imagine this: You are admitted to a hospital for 5 or 6 days following a fall with broken bones. Upon discharge from the hospital, you are admitted to a nursing home or extended care facility until you are ready to care for yourself at home. The good news is that you healed completely and are able to care for yourself at home, again. The bad news: You receive a bill for more than $10,000 from the nursing home because the hospital changed your admission status and now claims that you were only "under observation". Because of that change of status, Medicare will not cover your nursing home bills unless you were classified as an inpatient and stayed at least three days. How could this happen? It already has, to more and more elderly patients on Medicare. According to the Center for Medicare Advocacy, they are hearing of many of these kinds of cases where patients who stayed several days in the hospital were re-classified as under observation, sometimes long after the hospital stay.

To make matters worse, there is a coverage gap for some patients who are not sick enough to become inpatients but not well enough to care for themselves at home.

What you can do:

1. If at all possible, contact your Medicare office before you are hospitalized. Get it on record that you are being admitted as an inpatient and will be staying several days.
2. If you know ahead of time that you may be sent to a nursing home following your hospital stay, contact the nursing home, as well, and get it clear with them as to what your hospital stay is about and how long you will probably be there.
3. Talk with your doctor about this issue and make sure he is on the same page with you. Let him know that you are taking a pro-active stance with your hospital visit and nursing home care.
4. When you are admitted to the hospital, let them know up front that you are aware of this practice of "re-classifying" patients from inpatients to observation. State clearly that you know you are being admitted as an inpatient with a several day stay and you will expect all of your qualifying Medicare costs to be covered under those guidelines.
5. If you have a family member or friend who is close to you, have them come with you through the Admissions process (to witness your statement about being an inpatient) and also to visit you while you are in the hospital. On the day you are to be moved to a nursing facility, you should have this person with you and you should ask, upon discharge, to see the classification of your inpatient stay, again. (There will be resistance to this, for obvious reasons, but you should insist before you are transferred). Don't sign any discharge papers from the hospital unless you read them carefully and make sure your status was not changed to "observation".
6. Write your congressman and voice your concern about the hospital's and Medicare's apparent collusion to deny their financial responsibilities to older patients. And you should know that this issue is NOT currently part of any health care reform discussions... but it should be.

It is difficult enough to have to go to the hospital for several days. (See my Med-Tips.com site for many more hospital tips). No one should have to worry that their rights under Medicare will be altered or denied because of this collusion between hospitals and Medicare.

Qualities Needed to Become a Nursing Assistant

Do you have an overwhelming desire to help people? Are you compassionate? If you answer yes to both questions then you have the perfect qualities to become a nurse assistant. The position of a nurse assistant is not easy but it is rewarding. When you first become an assistant you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you are expected to do and the fast pace you are expected to do it. However once the work is done you will always feel a satisfaction that will only motivate you to work harder and become more compassionate towards the people you are taking care of.

When you decide to become a nurses assistant you must be serious and zealous about your work. If you choose the job just because it is a well paid job, then it may not be for you. You can't accept the responsibly of the job and then be lazy or behave rudely to your patients just because you have to much work or you don't like the people assigned to you. When you do not do your job with satisfaction, unfortunately the ones who suffer are the patients, the people you are supposed to be helping to feel better.

If you are a hundred percent positive that you want to become a nursing assistant you must have an almost never ending supply of patience and maturity. Why is patient and maturity necessary? When you become a nurse assistant, everyday you will experience task that will put your patience and maturity level to the test. (When you work in hospitals or in nursing homes, you will often come face to face with patients that are verbally and physically abusive towards doctors, nurses, and nurse assistants.) Another important quality you must posses is strong communications skills and the ability to work well with others. Teamwork is a necessity in the medical field, therefore if you prefer working alone then unfortunately a career as a nurse assistant is not for you.

Know that you know all the qualities a nurse assistant must posses; let's discuss what you need to become a nurse assistant. The process of becoming a nurse assistant is different for every person; depending on the place you want to work (Hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes are the most common places.)

Often, healthcare facilities will advertise free paid train courses in newspapers, this means that you study and work at the same time. (Qualified candidates usually do not have any kind of experience in the medical field.) You can also attend classes on community colleges or the Red Cross. Wile this classes last longer and are more detailed you will have to pay anywhere from $300 to $600.

Once you find a suitable program for you, learn as much as possible. However, keep in mind that nurse assistants perfect there skills mostly through hands on care. (While you are doing the actual process.) If you read this article and decided you have what it takes, then don't waist any more time. There are hundreds of sick people you can help.

LPNs Gain Increasing Responsibilities in Senior Care

As an LPN, it is in your best interest, career-wise, to always be looking for new experiences. By keeping your eyes peeled for ways to enhance your skill set, you can increase the odds of advancing your career in a very lucrative way. There are many different ways to go about doing this, but senior care jobs are among the very best options. Below, we'll take a look at a few of the top reasons that LPN jobs in senior care are such great opportunities.

Get to Know Your Patients -
Developing a great bedside manner is important for any LPN. In busy hospitals and clinics, though, you don't generally get the chance to get to know your patients. In turn, developing a topnotch bedside manner can be more difficult. Assisted living jobs give you the unique opportunity to really get to know the people for whom you are caring. As a result, you'll develop many important skills when it comes to relating with - and caring for - patients.

Be an Integral Part of the Team -
Because the general population of an assisted living facility is going to be made up of elderly people, the skills of a competent LPN are very much in demand. LPN jobs are an important part of any senior care facility. Without skilled LPNs, such facilities would not be able to operate properly. Knowing that you are such an important part of the team feels great - and it gives you many great opportunities to accrue more and more responsibility.

Gain New Skills -
In large, bustling hospitals, most LPNs only focus on or specialize in very specific matters. With assisted living jobs, though, you'll be able to acquire a range of very eclectic skills. Due to the tight-knit nature of most of these facilities, it's easier for LPNs to take on many new and challenging responsibilities. Along the way, you're bound to develop and hone many important skills. These types of opportunities simply aren't as widespread or as readily available in places like clinics, doctor's offices and hospitals.

Use Your Experiences to Advance Your Career -
One of the best aspects of taking on LPN Jobs, as an LPN, is that they allow you to acquire skills that will advance your career. All of the preceding points come together to produce a very educational work experience. Whether you decide to stick with senior care for the long haul - or if you decide to move on to another area - the skills that you gain will serve you very well in terms of career advancement. And many facilities will also help offset the costs of additional formal education, which is a perk that is hard to beat.

Senior Care - In Home Care Or Assisted Living - Pros and Cons

As people age they often require increased assistance in everyday activities. Decisions on what is the best type of care for a senior can be difficult and often complicated. Here is help on how to decide between assisted living or senior care in their home.

The choices between assisted living professionally at a nursing home or relying on care in the home can be an agonizing choice for the family of a senior. There are pros and cons to both options and they should be carefully considered before an arrangement is in place.

One of the first considerations to make is why the care is necessary and whether degenerative conditions may eventually reach a point where in home care is almost impossible.

If so, then it might be worth considering an earlier move to assisted living when the senior in question can have some influence and power over the decision on where to go and services they would like to have provided.

Some of the advantages to in home care for seniors include their familiarity in the environment, the comfort of their belongings and space and the ability to hire nursing staff that can make in-home visits when you're not available.

There are disadvantages though and these include the limitations on family members who may take on a lot of the regular activities such as cleaning and cooking. There are costs associated with hiring nursing staff and limits to when they are available to come into the home. If there are no family members nearby then it can be difficult to ensure adequate care is taken and that the senior is remaining able to care for themselves when alone.

There is also the problem-what if the in home care person gets sick, quits or just doesn't show up one day?

Using assisted living options is an alternative if it is not appropriate to continue in-home care. There are a range of levels of care offered, from very minimal up to full care. If family is located away from the senior then assisted living options offer an immediate advantage in that there is always some level of care and protection being provided to the senior without the need for family carers to become involved.

In retirement villages, care is often quite minimal but the units offer a senior some back up in case of acute health issues. Most come with panic buttons in the main areas like bathroom and living areas, and offer social activities while providing a sense of privacy. However it is possible for this lifestyle to become quite insular, with the senior becoming less likely to venture outside the village. It's a really good first step in care but it has to be appropriate.

If your senior needs more specialized or regular attention then high level assisted living may be the option for them. This involves living within rooms which may be single or shared depending on the facility, and offer 24 hour nursing staff with doctors on call.

Overall you need to look at the immediate and expected future needs, and decide what options are going to work both now and in the future. Often families will employ in home care to begin with for a period of time until it is no longer appropriate but it can be important to have plans in place before the time comes to increase supervision and access to medical care.

Assisted Living Facility For Individuals With Alzheimer's Or Other Dementia

Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 26 million people worldwide. In the initial stages, the symptoms of this disease become apparent through loss of short term memory for recent events. It then develops into an inability to remember and perform the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

As the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen and manifest in the following forms:

* Mood swings
* Language breakdown
* Long term memory loss

In the initial stages, the patient can be looked after by family members. However, the next phase necessitates professional aid and care. Most people choose assisted living facilities for their loved ones affected by Alzheimer's Disease as they offer both medical care and residential benefits. In such facilities, the severity of the disease can be mitigated and addressed with patience, understanding and compassion. Numerous assisted living facilities for Alzheimer's patients are available across the US, California and Oregon.

Many assisted living facilities have a specific memory care program that caters to the Alzheimer-affected patients called a memory care neighborhood. Memory care programs comprise staff who are specially trained to deal with this condition. The environment in such assisted living facilities is designed to provide a comfortable and safe haven for residents with memory loss issues.

Essential Requirements of People with Alzheimer's

Progressive memory loss damages an Alzheimer patient's sense of identity and reduces their feelings of self-worth. Typically, those who suffer from Alzheimer's require:

* A structured routine and daily activities that reflect those habits cultivated over the years.
* Individual attention and care for specific needs.
* Safe, secure, comfortable and familiar surroundings.
* A compassionate, well-trained staff.
* Encouragement to engage in simple activities, such as making breakfast, going for a stroll, or engaging in creative activities, such as painting. Such activities can boost the self-image and enhance the feeling of productivity in patients.
* Uncomplicated outdoor activities, such as walking, gardening and exercising.

Prerequisites of Good Assisted Living Facility for Patients with Alzheimer's

The prerequisites of a good assisted living home are:

* Hygiene - Cleanliness should be maintained on daily basis; you can confirm this by observing the grooming of the residents and noting the atmosphere in the facility.
* Trained, 24-hour staffing - Conscientious and compassionate staff is a must; ask for reviews of staff performance from the relatives of other patients.
* Continual resident monitoring.
* Decor - The overall feel, use of space and quality of decor of the facility should be comfortable and homely, without being drab, melancholy or monotonous.
* Activities - Simple activities of everyday life should be balanced with intermittent hours of rest.
* Meals - Meals should be nutritious, staff-assisted and supplemented by snacks, to ensure adequate nutrition.

Value of the Pre Nursing Home Admission Visit

The Pre-Admissions Visit Does Have Critical Value Before Nursing Home Admissions

If you talk to Diana Waugh, a registered nurse from Ohio, long-term care quality advocate and former director of nursing she would tell you she believes in the value of the pre-admission visit. What is that? It is when nursing home personnel visit a hospital and gain an in-depth understanding of a referred patient's needs before accepting this person for admission.

Of course this typically does not happen in our age of electronic referrals and stiff competition among skilled nursing facilities. Plus hospitals are gun-shy, afraid that facility reps will come in and try to market to other patients.

Unfortunately post admission many skilled facilities are finding there may be a financial and clinical incompatibility with this new admission and it becomes almost impossible to undo the process without infringing upon the patient's and their family's comfort level and dignity. Typically the discharge, whenever it is time for it to occur is a complicated one.

Of course there is also the convenience factor. Many nursing home personnel rarely leave the building for anything, except for business development staff. Many are simply in a rut and that can be hard to break away from.

However, Diana's concerns are very legitimate. Accepting certain admissions without really feeling confident this patient is an appropriate behavioral, clinical and psychological fit can open a can of worms that can be hard to manage and hard to close.

Further, when the dominant pre-admission questions center around insurance coverage and skilled days already consumed that calendar year, it is easy to slip into that "cattle herding" mode where we start to move away from the human side of care delivery and care management and focus solely on reimbursement.

Of course location plays a role since the hospital referring the patient may be 30 miles away and even if the pre-admission visit became an industry wide rule we still cannot escape the reality that no admission is perfect. Additionally this can never become a system wide practice unless everyone gets on board or the more aggressive marketers will keep accepting anyone who can pay regardless of the lack of person-centeredness involved.

Maybe there is another solution. If you have it we hope you will share. Let's talk about it. In the meantime may families and patients take a more active role in ensuring that every admission is as close a match as possible in order to ensure quality care delivery remains the priority.

Thanks for allowing us to share.

Alzheimer's and Parenting Your Parent: 10 Important Things You Need to Do When the Tables Are Turned

It is disheartening when the tables turn and you have to become the parent to the person who raised you - who guided you and taught you what you needed to know to become a successful adult. It's even more difficult if you had a troublesome relationship with your parent.

When your mother's or father's mind begins to decline you are suddenly cast in the role of being the parent. This role reversal feels uncomfortable at first, but it's something you will need to get used to. Your parenting duties are only going to become more extensive over time.

When people with Alzheimer's advance from one stage of the disease to the next, their abilities and behaviors typically decline in approximately the reverse order in which they gained them. Thus, they start out as fully competent adults then become mildly impaired. After that, as they continue to decline, they may function at the level of adolescents, then young children, then toddlers, and finally, infants.

The amount of parenting needed depends in part on the person's living arrangement. A parent living with an unimpaired spouse or living in an assisted living or long-term care facility will need less parenting than one living alone.

But regardless of where your mother or father lives, you still have to function as a parent in many ways, and the way you accomplish that changes as your parent's illness progresses from one level to the next.

The Ten Most Important Parenting Duties

There are numerous tasks and responsibilities you will have to assume when parenting your mother or father as their Alzheimer's advances, and in the early to middle stages, the 10 most important responsibilities include:

1. Ensuring that their basic needs are met, such as shelter, food, and clothing


2. Reassuring them that they are safe, a critical action


3. Getting them to stop driving when it's no longer safe for them to do so


4. Helping out with simple day-to-day activities such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, or reminding them to take their medications


5. Determining where they should live (i.e., in their home, with you or another relative, or in an assisted living or long-term care facility)


6. Arranging for social stimulation by having them spend time around other people


7. Providing entertainment and engaging them in activities that are appropriate for their stage of the disease


8. Handling their legal affairs


9. Managing their financial affairs


10. Making their health care decisions

The last three are especially needed for people in the middle stages of the disease.

For advice on providing entertainment you can find a list of 101 things to do with a person with Alzheimer's at http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_101_activities.asp.

It is common for people parenting their own parent to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks they have to do. If that happens, it is helpful to stop and remember all your parent did for you when you were growing up. When you realize you aren't doing any more for your mother or father than they did for you, you will probably be better able to accept your new role and responsibilities.

Pharmacy Technician Job Description

To put it simply, a pharmacy technician job description consists of receiving and filling prescription requests for patients. These requests can come directly from the patient, nurses, physicians or hospitals, and must be carried out under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.

Prescription preparation can take the form of several tasks, including:

-Retrieving prescription orders
-Counting, measuring, mixing and weighing medications
-Making sure the correct prescription container is chosen
-Creating prescription labels

After having filled the prescription, a technician must price and file the medication. The licensed pharmacist, who supervises pharmacy technicians, then checks the prescription before a patient is able to receive it.

Other Responsibilities

Apart from preparing prescriptions, technicians may also need to look after the pharmacy itself, including interactions with patients and hospitals. Some of the other duties one can expect to perform may include:

-Preparing insurance claim forms
-Keeping patient profiles up-to-date
-Answering the phone
-Undertaking cash register transactions
-Keeping up-to-date with the latest medicines and their availability
-Inventorying over-the-counter medications
-Measuring liquid medicines
-Verifying prescriptions

Duties may also include advising patients on health and diet requirements. Therefore, the majority of employers require pharmacy technicians to gain this knowledge through certification.

Working Environment

Pharmacy techs work in organized, clean environments, and spend much of their working day on their feet. They can work in a range of facilities, including:

-Pharmacies
-Hospitals
-Nursing Homes
-Health & Personal Care Stores
-Retail or Mail-Order Pharmacies
-Assisted Living Facilities

While those working in this field typically work a standard 9-5, working on weekends or evenings may also be required, although this depends on the environment worked in and what is demanded from the employer. Pharmacy techs can also work part-time or full-time, again depending on the employer.

Other Skills

There are a few traits that aspiring technicians should possess. While possessing all of the following traits is not a requirement to work in the field, they are useful to have as it maximises the chances of job being found as soon as possible.

Customer Service

As a pharmacy technician spends much of his day interacting with other people, he or she must be able to provide a high level of customer service. One should be able to give his full attention to people and should be able to understand and take on board the points and opinions made by patients.

Communication

Being able to communicate effectively is an important trait to possess, as technicians must interact with colleagues and patients on a daily basis. Therefore, the ability to convey the information patients/colleagues need to know in an easy to understand manner is needed.

Reading Skills

As the job is focused on preparing prescriptions, a person must be able to easily read doctor's handwriting - which as we all know - can be very difficult for the majority of the population.

Math Skills

While an advanced understanding of math is not required, a basic understanding of solving math problems is. However, this can vary by employer, therefore, solving math problems is not always part of a pharmacy technician job description.

The Holiday Blues: How to Help Seniors Overcome Seasonal Depression

It's common for the holiday blues to creep up on us...and especially on seniors. Symptoms include sadness, weariness and exhaustion, inactivity, and a loss of appetite. Reasons for the holiday blues can vary - from memories of happier times to declining health, loss of a spouse or friends, and medical problems that can amplify seasonal depression. And while it isn't unusual for anyone to feel a bit down in the winter, it isn't healthy for seniors to be left alone.

Below are three ways to help seniors beat the holiday blues. Since many people feel that the holidays are a spiritual time, most of the activities listed below can take place through a senior's church or religious organization. Additionally, churches offer a variety of wonderful opportunities for seniors - from caroling and baking pies to visiting other church members in the hospital.

1. Socialization
Senior living facilities have activities available year 'round, and there are many opportunities to meet new people, socialize and have fun. In fact, many facilities invite seniors from nearby communities to visit and take part in the activities - creating ways for seniors who live at home to make new friends and learn about different pastimes. Lonely seniors should schedule time to get together with a large group of friends to share the latest pictures of grandkids and catch up on each other's lives. Activities - especially social activities - are an excellent way to keep the blues at bay, whether it's a cooking club, church choir or a group of seniors getting together to bake.

2. Exercise
One of the most effective ways to drive away the blues is with exercise. Whether it's a power walk or a nice stroll by the lake, exercise gets the blood pumping and produces endorphins which decrease and sometimes even eliminate feelings of depression. On nice, sunny days, it's important to get seniors out of the house. And on cold and gloomy days, exercise should still be a top priority. Local senior centers, churches and the YMCA offer exercise classes for seniors.

3. Volunteering
Volunteering is an excellent way for seniors to connect with other folks in their local community. There are so many volunteer choices in every community, from a local soup kitchen to a charity or educational organization. Volunteering lets seniors get out of the house and help others in need. And helping others doesn't just boost their spirits - it also increases a senior's self-confidence!

Keeping the holiday blues away is important for everyone - especially seniors - and staying occupied with positive activities is a surefire way to stay happy and healthy this season.

Knowledge Plus Power Equals an Activity Professional

As a paid profession, the world of therapeutic activities is a new one, having been in existence only thirty four years. The term "activities" was introduced in the 1974 federal regulations for nursing homes which officially introduced our service. Our professional status was strengthened by the development of the National Association of Activity Professionals in 1981, followed by the development of the national activity certification program through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals in 1986. Our current job title, Activity Professional, was coined in 1992 when revisions to the federal regulations adopted the title. Having just celebrated my thirtieth year as an activity professional, I am proud to see how far we have come as "professionals". However, the truth remains we are still working to earn respect for our programs and the positive outcomes evident in our approaches. Although we have grown tremendously as a profession, we still have a long way to go.

What can you do to ensure our continued growth as a profession and to work toward gaining respect for the work that we do? The first step is to get certified. National Certification through NCCAP is the only certification program which certifies individuals providing therapeutic activities for elders in long term care settings. The certification is recognized in the Federal regulations for nursing homes as a qualifying credential, as well as in many State regulations. If you are not currently certified, develop an education plan to help you in achieving certification. If you have not yet taken the MEPAP (Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals) course, find a local instructor and information about their course schedules. If such programs are not available in your area - the internet has become the new educational meeting place.

Once you are certified and have taken the basic and standard coursework - you need to maintain your certification and professional status. Many activity professionals share difficulty getting out to classes and seminars. Independent study courses are becoming a popular choice for the busy activity staff as the work can be done around a busy schedule. To maintain your national certification, individuals must attend 2-4 (10-20 contact hours) classes per year. My website offers independent study programs, approved by the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. Current topics include professional development, motivation, programming concepts, quality assurance and documentation. New programs are added monthly.

NCCAP offers an opportunity for experienced activity professionals who may have taken a course prior to the introduction of the MEPAP to become certified. Track 5 requirements include completion of a basic course between 36 and 90 hours between the years 1991 and 2001; six years experience (12,000 hours) in activities in a geriatric setting within the past ten years; and thirty hours of continuing education within past five years, six of which is focused on activity documentation.

Is certification the only answer to professional growth of the individual and our profession as a whole? Obtaining national certification is just the beginning and will provide the activity worker with a foundation of knowledge and understanding to continue moving our profession forward. We each need to become the expert on therapeutic activities and person centered care in our communities. This does not mean become a "know-it-all" but someone who is knowledgeable about the interventions, outcomes and current status of our profession. Knowledge and power are best intermingled. Sir Francis Bacon said it first in the 1600's - "Knowledge is Power". Being knowledgeable and sharing that knowledge in a positive, productive way is influential. Power is the ability to influence others to act.

Another way to contribute to the strength of our profession is to join the professional associations in your local area as well as state and national associations. They have conventions, seminars, newsletters and web sites to support the activity professional. Nationally, they represent the activity department in legislative matters and keep us informed of regulatory changes, survey processes and news. Locally, our State and regional groups allow active networking and communication amongst working activity professionals. I have a listing of National and State associations on my website. If your state has a group that is not listed, feel free to send me information and I will include it in the listing.

The activity profession will continue to grow and prosper if we nurture our never-ending desire to seek out new ideas and to provide the best programs for our elders; participate in continuing education whether you have been in the profession one year or twenty; work cooperatively with fellow activity professionals and interdisciplinary staff; and continuously commit to the values of our profession.

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect-Abuse

Did you know that about 30% of nursing homes in the U.S. have been cited for abuse, yet they continue to operate? The real numbers on abuse are unknown, because most goes unreported. Nursing home neglect is a form of abuse, which often goes unnoticed, but can turn deadly. We entrust our loved ones to nursing homes believing they will be safe and well cared for. Learning to recognize the signs of abuse can save the life of someone you love.

What is abuse?

Nursing home abuse includes:

· Neglect

· Physical abuse

· Mental/emotional abuse

· Sexual abuse

The signs can be difficult to spot because they are often hard to distinguish from the normal effects of aging, but careful vigilance is necessary to protect those we love.

Signs of Neglect

Weight loss, diminished appetite, becoming less active, and even falls and easy bruising are normal parts of aging, but neglect can accelerate all of these problems and lead to an early death. Signs of neglect include:

· Malnutrition

· Dehydration

· Weight loss

· Clothes becoming too large

· Dirty bedding

· Dirty clothes

· Poor hygiene

· Bed sores

· Infections

· Sunburn

· Unexplained bruises and/or injuries

Signs of physical abuse

Unfortunately, physical abuse of nursing home residents is not uncommon. Victims are often afraid to complain about abuse, since they have been threatened with even worse reprisals, and some are incapable of voicing their concerns. Warning signs include:

· Open wounds

· Bruises

· Bruises or abrasions caused by restraints

· Unreasonable sedation

· Unexplained injuries

· Withdrawal

· Confusion and dementia

· Sudden rude behavior toward family members and friends

· Unusual behaviors such as sucking, biting or rocking

Signs of mental or emotional abuse

With no visible physical injuries, mental/emotional abuse can be more difficult to spot, but it is no less dangerous, and can make life a living hell for nursing home residents. Victims are often told and convinced that if they report this kind of abuse they will be putting themselves or their loved ones in danger. Sings include:

· Erratic behavior

· Irrational fear

· Agitation

· Depression

· Withdrawal

· Confusion and dementia

· Loss of appetite

· Refusal to socialize or participate in activities

· Unexplained enforced isolation

· Refusal to respond or communicate

· Sudden rude behavior toward family members and friends

· Unusual behaviors such as sucking, biting or rocking

· Sudden, unexplained decline in health

Signs of sexual abuse

Though most of us find it hard to imagine, sexual abuse is a very real problem in nursing homes. The abuse is perpetrated either by the workers at the nursing home or other tenants. Victims are often unable or too ashamed to report sexual abuse. Signs to look out for include:

· Unexplained genital infections

· Unexplained genital or anal irritation or injury

· Unexplained difficulty walking or sitting

· Bruises and/or thumbprints around the breasts, buttocks, inner thighs, or genital area

· Rope burns on wrists or ankles

· Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

· Stained or bloody sheets

· Fear, anxiety, or combativeness when a specific staff member attempts to help with bathing, dressing, or toileting

The Advantages Of Assisted Living And How Facilities Can Help

It may be difficult having to come to the realization that a loved one can no longer go through their daily routine on their own. Perhaps it is parent or grandparent that needs special care. In many cases their offspring can not take them into their own home to care for because they do not have the specially needed facilities and equipment to accommodate them. Many people cannot afford to stop work in order to provide full time care and hiring a round the clock in-home caregiver is too expensive. Sadly, in a great deal of cases, many people do not have anyone close to them that may provide care so assisted living facilities become the final option.

There are millions of people who are in need of assisted living all over the world because they can no longer conduct activities of daily life (ADLs) on their own. This usually refers to the elderly but can also include those with disabilities. This type of care usually means that a person resides in a facility where normal daily needs such as eating, bathing, dressing and taking medications are conducted under the supervision or with the assistance of trained professionals.

In most cases a person who resides in these establishment requires help in at least three ADLs. These are people who do not require the intensive amount of care that could be present in a nursing home and requires a more social environment to be comfortable.

Statistically, residents of these facilities are women which outnumber the men three to one. Most are widowed but some still have husbands, wives, or significant others. The average age of one of the residents is 86.9 years and the average length of care is around twenty eight years.

One of the largest advantages is that of the social environment that these residences provide. Large common areas are available for eating with others and this helps to mitigate the loneliness many elders feel. This is a primary difference between ALFs and intensive care units where patients are kept bedridden and hooked up to monitoring devices most of or all the day.

Also, the residents need not be concerned with the preparation of meals. A trained kitchen staff offers three meals a day in a community dining hall where the people who live their can converse and mingle if they choose to do so.

Many of the newer facilities provide the residents with many amenities that are akin to still being independent while always ensuring that trained assistance is close by. For instance, in many cases a person may be given their own apartment type living area. No special monitoring equipment such as might be present in nursing homes are needed but basic household chores are provided by the staff. Bedding changes, trash removal, laundry services and fresh meals are provided daily.

Several assisted living facilities also offer service to the mentally ill. This is primarily reserved for people who are in certain stages of dementia, to include Alzheimer's disease. However, other types of patients with mental disabilities are welcome in some cases as long as they do not pose a threat to others or themselves.

Registered Nurse Salary and Other Nursing Field Salaries

There are many nurses, who straight out of college are offered a job at a medical facility, whether it's a hospital or a nursing home. There are even home care agencies that utilize the services of a registered nurse. Being a RN is something rewarding for many people, and comes with a rather lucrative salary and growing opportunity. Typically, for nurse's who are straight out of school, they often like to stay around their local area as opposed to traveling too far from home. For the most part, graduate nurses are rather young and range from being in their mid to late 20's to early 30's. Most are thinking about securing a job and starting a family of their own if they don't already have one.

The BLS has estimated RN jobs to be on the rise through the next few years as there will always be sick people, and nurses and other medical staff are always going to be in high demand. You are going to be able to work in a variety of settings based on your needs and skills or training.

As far as the pay or salary for a registered nurse, there are a few contributing factors to this figure. A few of these include:

• Degree type

• Years of experience

• Location

• Facility

There are many facilities that if require you to move or relocate, will help pay for your relocation. Many places prefer nurses who have a Bachelor's degree, however there are just as many jobs for those who are LPN's. If you are currently working towards a Bachelor's degree, the company you are working for as a LPN may reimburse you and help cover additional tuition to earn your Bachelor's degree as it benefits the company and facility. The more education you have, and the higher degree you have, the more you will make on a yearly basis.

On average, a RN can make $65,817, and that is in Detroit, MI. The median average of a RN working in the US is $41,642. Your salary varies based on the location you are working as larger cities pay more while smaller locations pay less as seen above. There are about 67% of all nurses that will work in either a hospital or an outpatient facility. Salaries for these facilities are about $38,792 - $44,869. The other 32% of nurses find work in doctor offices and other medical clinics or temporary assignments. There are now travel positions that require you to travel to various parts of the country, and some even require you to travel internationally.

Registered nursing is becoming a popular field and in some places a competitive market to find a job. Many people are opting to relocate to larger cities in order to obtain a job or career as bigger cities have more openings available. Becoming a registered nurse takes a lot of compassion as well as patience, and your salary will only grow over the years.

Premise Liability Law

A person who is injured while on the premises of another has the right, under Premise Liability Law, to seek compensation from the property owner. A court may determine whether or not compensation should be paid, and will also determine the amount of compensation. In general, compensation will only be payable if the claimant can prove that the property owner was negligent in some way, and that it was this negligence which led to the injury or loss.

Premise Liability Law and the Workplace

Any employee who suffers an injury while in his or her place of work is covered by the terms of Premise Liability Law. If the employee can prove negligence on behalf of the employer, compensation may be payable.

This is a complex area, and it is advisable to seek advice from an accident lawyer. To see why, it is best to look at a couple of examples.

Workplace Accidents

1) The first example is relatively straightforward. A storeowner decides to replace the flooring behind the store counter. The new flooring is elevated several inches above the surrounding flooring. It is installed overnight when the store is closed.

The following morning, the employee responsible for opening the store, trips over the new flooring and injures herself. The storeowner had not told her of the new flooring, and accident lawyers could claim that the owner is negligent.

2) The second example is more complicated. A store uses a basement area to hold stock. Access to the basement is via a trapdoor. The owner realizes that the trapdoor is potentially dangerous when open. She buys a protective cage to be placed around the trapdoor before it is opened. Every member of staff is shown how to use the cage, and given explicit orders that they must use it every time they want to open the trapdoor.

An employee, believing he is the only employee in the store at the time, opens the trapdoor without putting the safety cage in place. A cleaner coming to work earlier than expected falls through the open trapdoor and is injured.

While the cleaner's injuries are clearly the result of negligence, who is actually responsible for paying compensation? An accident injury lawyer could best explain the options in this particular example.

Professional Expertise

Nearly every area of law has the potential to be extremely complicated, and Premise Liability Law is no exception. What may seem to be a straightforward case can have many twists and turns. Whether you are a plaintiff (claimant) or an employer, it is a high-risk strategy to proceed without getting professional advice from a specialist accident lawyer. Not only can an experienced accident lawyer insure that all the facts beneficial to your case are presented, but he or she is best qualified to know if the compensation amount offered or asked for is realistic.

Improved VA Disability Pension Benefit With Aid and Attendance Entitlement

Attention WWII and Korean War Veterans - The VA will provide you financial assistance to help you or the widowed surviving spouse pay for long-term care.

This financial assistance provides needed money to help these elderly war-time veterans (and their widowed surviving spouse) receive in-home care or offset the costs of an assisted living facility.

And the best part, you don't need to use official VA care or facilities. This financial assistance can be used to pay independent home care agencies and non-government run assisted living facilities. Many families also can get this VA financial assistance to pay a family member to provide the care.

This little-known veterans' benefit is commonly called the "Aid and Attendance" benefit. It is officially called an "Improved Disability Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance Entitlement" that provides a tax-free monthly amount up to $1,644 for a veteran or $1,949 for a veteran and spouse.

Widowed surviving spouses who have not re-married are eligible for this same benefit but by a different name. The official name of the surviving spouse benefit is "Improved Death Pension Benefit with Aid and Attendance Entitlement". This benefit also provides a tax-free benefit equal to $1,057 monthly.

This "improved" VA disability pension benefit can be used to pay for in-home care, assisted living facility costs or nursing home care. In addition other qualified uses include medical expenses, prescription drugs, incontinence supplies and more.

Five Steps of Qualification
1. To qualify for time of service, the WWII or Korean veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day of service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946 for WWII or between June 27, 1950 and January 31, 1955 for the Korean War.

It does not matter if the veteran's active duty was stateside or overseas. Discharge from military service also must not have been under dishonorably conditions.

Note: Surviving spouses who remarried a non-eligible individual or whose marriage to the veteran ended in divorce are not eligible.

2. To qualify physically, the veteran (or eligible surviving spouse) must be age 65 or older (to not have to prove they can no longer work) and need help with basic activities of daily living tasks such as eating, dressing, grooming, proper hygiene, bathing or going to the bathroom.

Being blind or use of a wheelchair for mobility also physically qualifies the claimant. The claimant must also be no longer able to safely drive to be considered home-bound.

Physical qualifications should be documented by your private physician. You do not have to use or visit a VA doctor.

3. To qualify financially, the veteran (or eligible surviving spouse) must have limited assets (typically under $80,000) excluding the primary home and a single vehicle. Note: The claimant cannot be driving or they will be ineligible for the benefit.

The amount of benefit that the claimant can receive is based on a two-step calculation.

a. Add up all annual income from social security, retirement pensions, interest, dividends, annuities, etc.
b. Subtract from this income total the annual recurring out-of-pocket medical and prescription costs, the cost of private supplemental health care insurance, any long-term care insurance, and long-term care expenses from in-home care or an assisted living facility.

The resulting amount is called the "adjusted countable household income". This amount is then compared to the maximum VA disability pension benefit. The difference is the benefit amount you will receive - paid in 12 equal payments.

4. The maximum VA disability pension benefit for 2009 is as follows:

Single or widowed veteran = $19,736 paid $1,644 monthly
Veteran with a dependent (typically spouse) = $23,396 paid $1,949 monthly
Un-remarried widowed surviving spouse = $12,681 paid $1,057 monthly

Let's look at an example:

• Sam is an honorably discharged Korean War veteran who lost his wife 6 months ago.


• He suffers from dementia and can no longer drive or live alone. His family has moved him to the Great Home Assisted Living facility where many of his friends also now live.


• His adjusted countable household income is a negative $-1,000 (Social security and a small pension from his work at the Tool & Die Company less his qualified medical costs of assisted living, prescriptions and medical insurance premium).


• He has less than $10,000 in savings and after the reverse mortgage is paid off from the sale of his home he will net $50,000.

Since Sam's qualified medical costs exceeds his income he qualifies for the maximum VA disability pension benefit, or $1,644 per month.
This means that Sam now has $644 in income each month after paying his qualified expenses instead of having to take $1,000 from savings each month for his care.

5. How to Apply

To learn more or to understand how to successfully apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit from the VA, visit www dot VeteransCareAdvisors dot com. The Aid and Attendance Handbook will walk you through the process and help you better understand the paper work, required documentation and what to expect during the claim processing.

Secret Dollars - Veterans' Benefit for Long-Term Care Revealed

One of the Veteran Administration's best-kept secrets, which is an excellent potential source of funds for long-term care (either at home or in an assisted living facility) are veteran's benefits for a non-service connected disability. Most VA benefits and pensions are based on a disability which was incurred during a veteran's wartime service.

There is another benefit, however - a pension program - available for individuals who are disabled due to the issues of old age, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and other physical disabilities. For those veterans and widows (ers) who are eligible, these benefits can be a blessing for the disabled individual who is not yet ready for a nursing home.

There is a specific portion of the pension program which is of particular importance. This program is "Aid and Attendance" (A and A) and is available to a veteran who is not only disabled, but has the additional requirement of needing the aid and attendance of another person in order to avoid the hazards of his or her daily environment (in other words, someone needs to help you to prepare meals, to bathe, to dress and otherwise take care of yourself).

Under this program, a veteran can receive a maximum of $1,801.00 per month in benefits and a widow or widower can receive up to $976.00 as a maximum benefit for A and A for the year 2007. The applicant must be determined to be "permanently and totally disabled". The applicant does not need to be helpless - he/she need only show that he/she is in need of aid and attendance on a regular basis. Someone who is housebound or in an assisted living facility and over the age of 65 is presumed by the Veterans Administration to be in need of aid and attendance.

This particular program has limitations related to the income and assets that are held by the applicant. However, in computing the income of the applicant, certain items can be deducted. Specifically, unreimbursed medical expenses (UMEs) paid by an individual may be used to reduce the applicant's income. Home attendants or aides are an allowable medical expense deduction, as long as that attendant is providing some medical or nursing services for the disabled person. The cost of an assisted living facility, and even part or all of the cost of an independent living facility, can also be an allowable medical deduction to reduce your gross income to a much lower net countable income that may qualify you for veterans' benefits.

Simplified Example: Bill Robert is a 66 year old veteran and, due to his health needs, has caregivers coming to his home for several hours each day. His income is $1800/month and he is paying caregivers $3300/month. Rather than deplete his savings of $45,000, he applies for a service pension through the VA. The VA considers the $3500/month he is paying to his caregivers unreimbursed medical expenses and "subtracts" the amount from his income. In other words, when calculating his pension, the VA considers his income to be negative $1500. He applies for benefits and is eligible for $1500/month to help him with his bills!

To file a claim for this benefit, it is wise to seek the involvement of a trained veteran's service officer. A Veteran's Service Officer is critical to the filing of an application with the local VA regional office. It is also important to seek the guidance of an experienced elder law attorney who is familiar with estate planning, disability, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. An attorney skilled in elder law can provide a veteran and the veteran's family with appropriate pre-filing consultations to determine the appropriate steps that must be taken to be able to determine if it would be right to apply for this VA benefit.

Three Options in Retirement Living

Before making a commitment to a style of living, consider all the options. If you will be relocating, know a little about the city where you will be living and become acquainted with the communities within the city.

These are three options in styles of living accommodation for Canadian seniors and I've included a summary or overview of each one.

Traditional Rental - Retirement Homes Community

A popular option in retirement living in Canada is traditional rental within a retirement community. About 25 percent of seniors prefer to rent without the responsibilities and headaches that go along with home ownership.

Renting in a retirement community means paying a monthly rental that may include additional amenities and services. The range in price is from $1800 to $4500 per month depending upon location, size and amenities. Monthly rental will include room and board, housekeeping, and use of available amenities. In most retirement communities, additional services may be offered for an added fee.

In most Canadian provinces, retirement homes are privately funded and fall under the Tenant Protection Act and Landlord-Tenant Laws. Research the tenancy laws that apply in the province in which you will be retiring.

Before making the commitment to rent in a retirement community, make a checklist of things to consider when visiting a property, here are a few examples:

• Overall cleanliness


• Property maintenance, what's included i.e. lawn care and snow removal


• Is the property attractive to you and will it be attractive to your children and grandchildren


• Will your damage deposit be refundable if and when you move


• Read all paperwork and agreements before signing anything

Review your provincial government website as to whether subsidized housing is available to seniors, each province is somewhat different.

If your circumstances change, renting will give you a high level of flexibility.

Life Lease Community

The Life Lease gives seniors an investment in the community without the responsibilities of actual home ownership. When a Life Lease is purchased, the resident will have the use of amenities such as recreational facilities, dining areas and other benefits specified in the lease. Life Lease communities are usually sponsored by a non-profit organizations and therefore the costs tend to be lower than market value but as with all real estate, costs will vary depending upon the province and city.

Property in a life lease community offers solid return on investment and usually provides future support services that make them attractive for couples to which differing levels of support are required. Life Lease communities are age-specific where residents must be over 55 and residents seems to enjoy being surrounded by others with similar interests and needs. The sense of community can influence peace of mind as seniors take an active role in community management and tend to look out for one another.

Ownership - Retirement Condo

There's a new option in ownership becoming more and more popular with seniors - the retirement condominium. Condos designated as such are usually associated with a retirement residence to form a 'community' and the amenities such as housekeeping, health and other support services are offered to condo owners as well as those in the residence itself.

Retirement condominiums appeal to and are marketed to active healthy seniors who are planning to age in place and take advantage of additional services they may need over time. This option in retirement housing is particularly attractive to couples that need different levels of care and support.

Costs of retirement condos vary and in the greater Toronto area the average starting price is about $240k for a one bedroom and $300k and up for two bedrooms. A monthly condo fee covers services like meals and basic amenities and the option to purchase additional services is available.

Before making the commitment to condominium ownership make, a checklist of things to consider when visiting a property, here are a few examples:

• Overall cleanliness


• Property maintenance, what's included i.e. lawn care and snow removal


• Is the condo committee able to work within a budget


• What will the condo fees be and do you require the services included in these fees


• Are condo fees subject to increase and if so how much and how frequently


• How much are the property taxes


• How much can you expect to pay for utilities


• Will your deposit be refundable if and when you move


• Negotiate, you may be surprised!


• The same trends in cost of real estate will apply to costs in a retirement condo as in all forms of real estate where the province, city and vicinity will all influence prices.

Visiting Gran And Gramps - Telltale Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse

Almost all elderly people in the nursing homes are in such caring facility because their families are or they do not have the capacity to care for their daily needs. Being in a caring facility, assistance by all accounts should be at hand.

The elderly need to be treated, not only with respect and reverence but also with love and abundant caring. Most nursing homes all over the country promise of such kind of services for the elderly.

Many, if not most of these institutions indeed show caring and conscientiousness with regards to tending and caring for the elderly. Unfortunately, some do not show the same amount of professionalism and are negligent in their supposed jobs. Some facilities, without knowing it, hire people who do deliberate or conscious harm to the elderly people housed in said facilities.

Some would impugn physical harm, others may target the elderly some mischief that would cause emotional damage to the sensitive elderly.

If you have an elderly loved one who is in a nursing home, try to check up on them to know if they are indeed under excellent caring hands. It would be quite disappointing if your elderly happen to be in such caring facility and suffering from varying degrees of negligence and abuse. Nursing home abuse is a legal matter that must be probed further and brought out in the open.

Therefore, the next time you go visit your Gran or Gramps, it is important to know how to recognize or identify the signs of mistreatment or nursing home abuse.

Here are some of the factors to look out for:

Check out scars or wounds in the skin that was not there before they were admitted into the nursing home or during your last visit. They could be inflicted through various possible circumstances.

- Bruises and scars - as people age, their skins thin out and become delicate and easy to bruise or tear. Elderly must be handled gently to avoid causing injury.

- Falls - There are times when a particular elderly already need special assistance to sit upright. Sometimes if the nursing home staff forgets or ignores the special needs of a particular elderly, the elderly is likely to fall every time he or she tries to sit up.

Some neglectful staff or nursing home management is insensitive of the elderly deteriorating eyesight. Pathways must always be kept clear of any obstacles or debris that would cause them to lose their balance and fall.

- Tight Restraints - Some elderly who already need restraints to prevent them from falling, losing their way, or wandering off in unsafe place when restraint is applied very tightly, it would cause the elderly skin to break or bruise.

- Rough handling - Some overworked staff of the nursing home might be too overworked that they tend to become impatient and irritable with the elderly. A tight grip from a person may immediately cause pain and bruises in the elderly skin.

- Pressure sores can break out if the nursing staff become negligent in their obligation to turn bedridden elderly in their beds every two hours or so.

- Elderly who suffer from anxiety or depression loses weight dramatically, uncharacteristic loss of appetite or dehydration may be signs of emotional abuse being inflicted on the elderly.

Gauge the mood of your elderly loved one each time you come to visit him or her. Look them up carefully, pay special attention to them on every visit to know how they are being treated.

Becoming a CNA: Classes and Training

What does a CNA do?

A certified nursing assistant, better known as a CNA, is a healthcare professional who provides direct patient care. These people are sometimes referred to as patient care technicians, home health aides, or orderlies, but they all perform the same job.

Daily tasks that CNAs help patients perform include eating, bathing, getting dressed, moving around the living space and other basic activities. CNAs are also frequently responsible for keeping track of the patient's physical condition and any concerns that a patient may have.

Once a CNA has collected this information, he or she gives it to a nurse in charge.

These duties prepare a large number of CNAs to later become registered nurses. Becoming a CNA requires specialized training, as well as having active registration with the state in which the CNA intends to work.

What Registering CNAs Need

Special CNA classes are required for anyone who wants to register as a nursing aide. The basic academic coursework is just part of CNA training, however.

To become a nursing assistant, it's also necessary to receive hands-on training under a nurse or doctor's supervision. Different states have different requirements for the length and type of experience required, but it must occur in a hospital, nursing home or other medical establishment in most cases.

Finding CNA Programs

Attending the wide range of CNA classes available in most states can be difficult for people with other jobs. However, employer-supported CNA classes are available for people who already have healthcare jobs.

Individuals who are not eligible for CNA programs through an employer, can attend evening classes or choose online coursework as a good secondary choice.

It may be necessary to do extra research about your CNA classes if you decide that online or distant schools are your best option. This is because accreditation and certification standards vary by state.

Make sure that the program you pick is compatible with your state requirements. Every CNA program in the U.S. must provide 75 hours of academic and practical coursework or more.

Career Opportunities

It's true that nursing assistants can only progress so far in a CNA job. CNA salaries average between $21,000 and $29,000 per year, with some rare positions providing up to $40,000. Many CNAs advance their career by getting more education and becoming nurses or physician's assistants.

Increasing medical costs are now prompting many hospitals to use CNAs to do the work that once required a registered nurse. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for CNAs is expected to grow by 20 percent by 2020, especially as more older people need nursing home care.

This increase in demand means that CNA training is a smart choice for anyone who is interested in a caregiving career.

Medication Management and Supervision - Assisted Living Homes

One of the biggest benefits of living in an assisted living home environment for the elderly is medication management. It is expected that with age comes health problems. Older folks are usually on multiple medications; in fact, some individuals may be taking dozens of different medications each day. Keeping up with it all can be a burden. Of course making sure that medicine is taken as prescribed is very important in order to repeat the therapeutic or sometimes even life-sustaining benefits of what the doctor has ordered. Unfortunately as folks get older they may have trouble trying to make sure they are taking the right medicine at the right time in the right amount. Some may forget to take their medication at all, while others may forget that they have taken it and then end up taking too much. Medication management is a real issue for some elderly folks, especially since dementia is usually

Managing all the medication can be very stressful and many times it becomes overwhelming and the individual simply decides not to take the medication. This is where assisted living homes really can make a difference.

How It Works

The process is very convenient and simplistic. It is not intrusive, it is simply a matter of one individual is helping another to take the right medication. In most assisted living homes there are dedicated staff members that have some type of medical training that are tasked with dispensing medication and making sure that everyone gets what they need.

This is a perfect way to insure that all the residents are on the correct medication and that they take it when prescribed as prescribed. There are some cases where this can be the difference between life and death.

An additional benefit, especially with a new medication, is having someone there to monitor the reactions of the medication on the individual. In assisted living homes, most of the staff get to know the residents very well and are trained to listen for cues indicating that a medication is not working as it should or that it is causing uncomfortable side effects. Regardless of the age a lot of folks are just not that in tune with their body's cues and they might take a medication that may cause side effects that they might attribute to other causes never realizing that it is the medication that they are taking.

Supervision can include checking blood pressure and other bodily functions for a sign of something amiss. This is a great service that is a safety net of sorts to be sure that the medication that is prescribed is working as it should.

Diabetes

Diabetes afflicts many older adults for a host of reasons. It is a very serious disease that needs to be monitored closely. In assisted living homes, when medication is being supervised, many times so is the resident's blood sugar level. This is a great service that can save lives.

Alzheimer's disease

Many elderly patients suffer from conditions that bring on dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. Dementia patients in particular can benefit from medication management that is offered by assisted living facilities.

Assisted living homes are a great way to being sure that an older adult is being assisted with day to day needs to include taking medication.

Real Estate Niche Marketing - Starting an Assisted Living Home

You can try to be an expert in many phases of real estate, or you can specialize in a niche markets and become the authority in that markets.

There are a number of very successful real estate agents and brokers that have narrowed their real estate marketing niche focus to a specific geographical area, a type of property or a category of consumer. Recognizing the opportunities that are out there and selecting a niche that appeals to you can be a lucrative strategy.

Consider the niche market of opening Assisted Living Homes. It is a common assumption that it take millions of dollars to successfully open and operate an Assisted Living Facility, and while this may be true for a large facility, there is a huge niche market being ignored. Tens of millions of baby boomers are approaching retirement age. Many of them will need medical or personal care. A growing majority of these seniors do not want to spend the rest of their lives in a nursing home. They want to be in an environment that seems like home, with caregivers who seem like family. So where do they turn to?

These homes are often called Board and Care homes or Assisted Living Homes. They generally have no more than twenty residents and in most cases less than ten residents at any given time. The big difference between an Assisted Living Home and an Assisted Living Facility is level of care. Typically the business model of an Assisted Living Facility does not allow a significant amount of one on one time with each resident. What this means is that when a resident needs more than minimal assistance with daily needs or if they need two people to assist in providing those daily needs, the resident will generally be moved to either a different unit in that facility or the family will need to move their loved one to a different setting.

An Assisted Living Home (or a Board & Care Home) has the ability to be very flexible with the residents they choose to do business with. More often than not, once residents move into an Assisted Living Home they will be allowed to live out the rest of their lives in these familiar surroundings.

How can you get involved in this niche? To start with you are going to have to view yourself as a problem solver. You will need to:

• Educate yourself on the rules as they pertain to your City, County and State. Be aware that just like with building or zoning codes each city may be a little different than the other.


• Have a general knowledge of the typical rates residents pay.


• Have a general idea of the typical expenses associated with operating an Assisted Living home


• Establish a network with those who provide services in this industry.

Many smaller homes operate very successfully in both the private pay and Medicare arenas.

Think of the home in your current inventory, do you have any four or five bedroom homes? Do you have Seller's who can be creative? Do you have several homes close to each other? All of these could be great candidates for starting an Assisted Living Home.

Who are you Buyers? Your Buyer could be the Caregiver who wants to rent a few rooms and be able to work from home. Your Buyer could be the Doctor or Investor that wants several homes that they manage but may or may not work directly in the home.

Do you have buyers that are facing foreclosure or even bankruptcy because of their mortgages? Would they be willing to do a lease purchase? By leasing to someone who is starting an Assisted Living Home, you can feel much more confident that they will fulfill their obligations and not leave you or your Client in a bad situation.

I urge you to take the time to study this niche. Find the information you need to be the problem solver for your Clients, who knows you may even wind up owning a few yourselves!