Nursing Shortage Causes Concern About The Future Of Healthcare

America is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to get worse as baby boomers age and the need for health care increases. Complicating the nursing shortage problem is the fact that nursing schools and universities across the country are having difficulty maintaining enrollment levels that still are not sufficient to meet the projected demand for nursing care.

Based on a recent survey, it is common knowledge that there is a nursing shortage and this is viewed as a serious issue. The study revealed that 75% of Americans think that the nursing shortage is a very real and very important health care concern. The general view is that the nursing shortage will have a negative effect on health care services. The poll indicates that 81 percent of the population is acutely aware of the nursing shortage and fully 65 percent believe that the nursing shortage is nearing crisis levels.

The survey also found that, despite the nursing shortage most Americans are confident that nurses' opinions on medical issues are highly credible and that the nursing profession is generally respected and admired. Because of the nursing shortage there are many more nursing positions available than can be filled. This is despite the fact that average nurse salaries match up quite well with other professions.

Many potential solutions, such as travel nursing, are being developed to address the current nursing shortage.
The position of travel nurse was created more than 20 years ago in order to address shortfalls in staffing in states that experienced dramatic swings in seasonal population. Now, being a travel nurse is regarded as operating in a specialized nursing category and has become a crucial factor in potential solutions to the worsening nursing shortage.

Becoming a travel nurse opens the door to a world of possibilities. Agencies that specialize in travel nurse placement will help you locate a variety of travel nurse positions in areas of the U.S in which you have an interest. A travel nurse assignment will normally last for about 90 days but may continue for up to six months. After selecting the region or state you then must decide which travel nurse position you will accept. It is entirely up to you which type of program and which type of medical facility you will join on your travel nurse adventure.

The compensation for a travel nurse is well above average and is attracting more nurses into the travel nurse profession. The salary or a travel nurse is well above the norm. What's more, the travel nurse package may include complimentary housing. Plus, travel expenses may also be covered. A travel nurse will also receive generous benefits such as health insurance or a retirement plan, if they are working with a good travel nurse agency

Most travel nurse assignments provide a substantial bonus upon completion of atour. The collective compensation for a travel nurse is far greater than permanent, local nursing positions. In many cases being a travel nurse can result in a six figure annual income.

Considering the severe nursing shortage, a qualified nurse can fill a crucial need and be handsomely compensated for it.

Federal Nursing Home Care Reform Act

A 1986 study conducted by the Institute of Medicine concluded many residents of nursing homes were being subject to ill treatment. This study fueled the efforts for reforms which became law in 1987. The Nursing Home Reform Act was passed as a portion of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.

The objective of the reforms was to ensure patients received the highest practical care to foster their mental, physical, and psychosocial well-being. The act established a Resident's Bill of Rights and specifies services which should be given. Medicare and Medicaid payments will be halted if the facility does not comply with the reforms. As nursing homes rely on the majority of their expenses to be funded from these sources, the facilities are forced to make sure their care is up to standards.

Required resident services include: comprehensive care plans for each individual resident, periodic assessments by professional, nursing services, rehabilitation services, social services, pharmaceutical services, dietary services, and if the facility houses more than 120 patients, it must employ a social worker full time.

The Residents' Bill of Rights gives patients the following:

-The right to freedom from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect;

-The right to freedom from physical restraints;

-The right to privacy;

-The right to accommodation of medical, physical, psychological, and social needs;

-The right to participate in resident and family groups;

-The right to be treated with dignity;

-The right to participate in the review of one's care plan, and to be fully informed in advance about any changes in care, treatment, or change of status in the facility; and

-The right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal

To asses whether nursing homes meet the criteria as designated by the Nursing Home Reform Act, the law established a certification process. It requires the state to conduct unannounced surveys and resident interviews at random times. However, the government did not issue regulations for the process until 1995. If there are specific complaints filed against a nursing home, the residents will often be surveyed accordingly so if a problem exists it can be detected.

If a nursing home is found in violation, it might have the opportunity to correct deficiencies before discipline is imposed. However, the following sanctions have been imposed for facilities which do not pass: directed in-service training of staff, directed plan of correction, state monitoring, civil monetary penalties, denial of payment for all new Medicare or Medicaid admissions, Denial of payment for all Medicaid or Medicare patients, temporary management, and termination of the provider agreement.

4 Factors Nurses Consider When Looking for a Job

No doubt, nurses are one of the most in demand jobs not only in the US but in other countries as well. Canada and the United Kingdom are two of the countries in need of nurses and other allied health practitioners. Japan is one of the countries in Asia which tops the nurse requirements. The primary reason for the surge of nursing requirements by these countries is the increased number of geriatric patients in hospitals and elderly homes.

Nurses coming from different countries seek employment in these countries because the benefits as well as the salaries offered are very lucrative. Nevertheless, let us take a look at the top factors nurses consider when looking for a job anywhere in the world.

Salary

Let's face it one of the primary considerations why anybody looks for a job is the salary or the compensation. Nurses rate before was not that high. In fact, they were one of the lowest paid professionals in the industry. But thanks to the current massive demand for nurses all over the world, the rates of nurses have increased dramatically.

Benefits

Salary is not the only consideration nurses look for in a job. Benefits are also a heavy consideration. Sick leave, vacation leave and emergency leave are very important in this kind of job. Nurses work practically 12 hours per shift and they are in a lot of stress related situations. That is why when they are already eligible; they will grab the chance to have a weekend getaway or a nice week long vacation with their families.

Family health insurance is also a big factor nurses consider when they are being offered a job in a hospital. The cost of health insurance today is very high compared before that is why a company or hospital that could offer this is already an opportunity. Law mandates night differential pay already but there are still some hospitals, which offer more than the night diff rate. That is already something nurses really look forward to.

Annual bonus and other monetary compensation are also attractive benefits that nurses are willing to consider when looking for a job in a hospital.

Schedules And Shifts

We all know that a nurse's job is very difficult most particularly when it comes to schedules and shifts. Nurses work 12 to 14 hours straight because of the insufficient number of nurses employed. That is why nurses today look for hospitals with reasonable amount of work as well as the shifting schedule

Hospital

Last but not the least is the hospital they are potentially going to work at. It is a fact that everyone would want to work in big, lucrative hospitals for a number of reasons. First is the extensive experience they are going to acquire from such multi-function hospitals. Also the broad scope of work will them advantage over those who just concentrate on a specific specialization.

Big hospitals are well known across the country and possibly in other countries as well. It will be great in their resume to have worked for big and well known hospitals.

Bottom line is everyone wants to work in an ideal place: no stress, 8-9 hours a day, less responsibility, good salary and benefits. If only this kind of work place exists then everyone is happy and contented. But it doesn't so people, particularly nurses try to find the next best thing. They try to look for hospitals with great benefits, high salary rate and good shifting schedules.

How to Get a Highly Paid Nursing Assistant Salary

While there is unfortunately not a list of higher paying nursing assistant salary jobs for you to aspire to, there are several options available to you to gain the most out of your CNA employment. These options are detailed below.

Obtain Your CNA II

Obtaining your CNA II will give you a bump in nursing assistant salary by as much as an extra dollar per hour or more depending on your facility. While this may not sound like much, over the years as a CNA employee it will add up. Plus if you add this to more certifications like Basic Life Support certification and a Certified Nursing Administration course. These will aid you in getting higher pay or promotions within the CNA field of employment. Phlebotomy training to give you extra certification and experience. However, if you become a phlebotomist full-time although the average wage is higher as a phlebotomist than a CNA. You will lose your extra shifts, double shifts, night shift and weekend work that you will get with CNA employment which pushes your pay higher than that of a phlebotomist.

You need to keep in mind before you attend an interview that you can negotiate a higher starting CNA salary if you have experience/qualifications in an area with serious nursing assistant shortages. So doing a little homework on the shortage in your area can pay dividends in your negotiations in your starting nursing assistant salary. You obviously will not mention the shortages at the interview, you just keep it in mind when negotiating your starting nursing assistant salary with the employer.

Generally speaking the higher paid certified nursing assistant jobs will be those in a hospital, in a major city or urban area. And the highest pay will be in the specialized units that require extra training such as emergency room, intensive care ward etc.

Get a higher nursing assistant salary by working for an agency

If you are prepared to travel between jobs and can handle the temporary nature of a contract offered by a nursing agency, then a much higher nursing assistant salary can be achieved. Then agencies like ARC healthcare or Medical Staffing Network to name just two of the many agencies across the country can offer you these higher paying certified nursing assistant temporary jobs. Then they will usually place you at a medical facility that requires nursing assistants at a short notice. The pay will be higher than say a long term contract in a nursing home, but you will not have the reassurance of long term employment.

These companies/medical facilities that need staff in a pinch and recruit through an agency often have double shift options. Which will usually have a bonus on top for the inconvenience. Also in a lot of these temporary roles your traveling expenses will be covered if they are in remote locations.

Agency certified nurse assistant salary is usually much higher than the average at around $15 - $20 per hour, whereas for the same job in hospital may only pay you between $9 and $12 depending on experience, location and medical facility. You need to bear in mind though that these agencies often do not include medical insurance as part of their contract terms. You should also know that in order to get on these agencies books you will need a minimum of 6 months CNA experience, with many requiring 1 years experience at least before they can offer to find employment through their agency.

Private duty cases obtained through these agencies often provide much higher CNA pay than the norm. You will find a website called healthcareerweb.com often provides private duty case jobs on their website.

You could also consider studying for a nursing degree which will open many more opportunities for advancement in the nursing profession which includes much higher pay. Some of the top nursing jobs like Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), earn on average $100k per year and often much more. Now obviously for this level of nursing pay there will be several years of hard studying to do, but the rewards can be well worth it in the end.

Hopefully this has given you a few pointers in getting the most out of a nursing assistant salary that you are looking for as you journey through your medical career.

Sustained A Lifting Injury At Work? Here's What You Must Do

Heavy lifting accidents are a common cause of injuries in the workplace. These accidents are not limited to warehouses, factories and construction sites, but all those workplaces which require employees to perform some sort of manual handling tasks. Whether you are employed in a school, shop, restaurant or office, you are at a risk of sustaining a lifting injury if your job involves performing manual handling tasks.

Typical Injuries Caused By Heavy Lifting At Work

There are a range of physical symptoms associated with injuries caused by heavy lifting, but the victim may also suffer psychological injuries during their recovery period. Depression is a common symptom which in most cases also leads to deterioration in the quality of life of the victim. Typical injuries caused as a result of heavy lifting at work can include:

- back injuries
- arm injuries
- shoulder injuries
- sprains and strains
- neck injuries
- herniated discs
- hernias

Back injuries are the most common types of injuries associated with heavy lifting at work. They can cause severe pain and in some cases, total incapacity whilst recovering. For this reason, it is important for any person who has suffered lifting injuries at work to seek legal advice and consider putting up a lifting injury claim for compensation.

Injuries caused by heavy lifting can require specialist medical treatment. It can even affect the ability of a person to work which can affect his earning potential. It can result in loss of income if the victim is required to take considerable time off work. Additionally, the injury may have long term consequences. The symptoms may be ongoing for which future medical treatment may be required. Therefore, it is vital for the victim to recover costs of care and all his financial losses that he incurred due to his injury. After all, why should you suffer due to the negligence of another person? If you were hurt because of someone else, you have the legal rights to recover compensation.

Lifting injuries can result from strain over tome where the actual injury occurs outside of work. If your lifting injury occurred somewhere other than work, but heavy lifting is part of your work routine, then you may still be able to recover compensation. These kinds of personal injury cases are quite difficult to pursue and hard to prove, but if you consult with an expert injury lawyer, you will be able to find out more about your options.

Picking the Right Nursing Home Requires Some Patience

When it comes to finding the right place to send your loved one to live when they reach an age or point in their life where they can't continue to live or care for themselves on their own, you need to be a little patient and persistent. You shouldn't rush or expect to find the perfect place overnight. You should take some time to do a little homework to make sure you find the best and most qualified nursing home for your elderly loved one.

Take some time to assess the situation. Think about whether or not your loved one needs some type of medical care. Also think about their mental health and how well they are able to handle their most basic daily functions such as using the bathroom and taking medication on their own. If your relative needs any type of assistance with any part of their life, then you need to make sure you choose a nursing home that provides the right amount of supervision and care.

Since there are so many different types of elderly and special care facilities for you to choose from, then you may want to look a little deeper and be a bit more selective. If you want to ensure your loved one receives the best level of care and attention, you should consider a nursing home that has some of the most credentialed nurses on staff. Look into the professional reputation of any facility you are considering. Visit in person so you can see where and how your loved one will be cared for. If you can, interview some of the residents and staff so you can get a clearer picture of whether or not that particular home is a good one for your relative.

Take some time to make a budget and put it on paper. Sometimes it is much easier to keep up with expenses when you can actually see them. Keep in mind that no matter what type of nursing home you choose for your loved one, it still may be an expense that you may have trouble affording. The cost of providing senior care has sky rocketed and if you don't' want to end up struggling to provide your loved with the best quality of care they deserve, you should start planning in advance if possible. Inquire around and find out what the cost of care is in your community or in the area you feel your loved one will thrive the most.

Find out what resources are available to help cover the cost. You may be surprised to find out that certain states have programs in place that will help provide some type of financial assistance for long term care and elderly care. Some health insurances may also provide some kind of coverage. Certain types of investments such as life insurance policies make it possible to for people to afford the cost of long-term care as well. Do yourself a favor and prevent this situation from becoming more stressful than it already is and make arrangements for a good nursing home early on.

Housekeeping in a Nursing Care Facility

Proper medical care and nutrition are very important to monitor when a loved one is in a nursing care facility. Another area to keep a close watch on is the housekeeping department. How they clean rooms, lobbies, bathrooms, and other areas determines how good the care actually is at a nursing home. Even larger facilities should employ enough staff to ensure the building is clean and remains that way.

The truth is than many nursing facilities in an effort to save money, will only hire enough people to cover the shifts. This means when a person is absent or quits, it is then the nurse's job to clean rooms. With many nursing stations understaffed, housekeeping can sometimes take a back seat. When visiting a loved one, there are a few items to check to make sure at least a minimum amount of cleaning is being performed.

o Clean bathrooms are a must. Elderly people will sometimes have trouble using the bathroom. Clean bathrooms that are sanitized are essential to keep bacteria from being spread.

o Use of gloves. When changing a resident or cleaning up the bathroom, it is important that housekeeping and nursing staff use gloves to prevent the spread of bacteria.

o Clean sheets. Another way to keep bacteria from spreading and a way to keep residents comfortable.

o Make sure the staff is wearing clean uniforms. Nursing and housekeeping should always wear clean uniforms before each shift.

These are just a few items to look at when paying a visit to a nursing facility. Since the elderly are prone to catching colds easily, living in a clean space will help keep them safe and healthy.

Trends in Assisted Living

Assisted living communities have become increasingly dedicated to innovation and an emphasis on hospitality in order to remain competitive during challenging economic times. Understanding the resulting assisted living trends will be helpful to families that are in the process of exploring the various options available for aging loved ones.

Assisted Living Trend #1: Wellness Programs to Enhance & Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

In 2009, the age of residents moving into assisted facilities nationwide averages 84.6 years. As seniors continue to wait longer and longer to leave their homes and move into senior living communities, the industry seeks to extend their length of stay by promoting health and wellness among their residents. Nearly every major competitor has developed a multi-dimensional program to include a variety of exercise classes and/or access to neighborhood fitness clubs, healthy meal options as well as spiritual and educational opportunities. Amenities and services that reflect this emphasis on wellness include the availability of on-site massage therapy, exercise equipment made specifically for seniors, computer training with specialized equipment and large screens as well as flexible hours for dining to accommodate medical appointments and activities. The success of such programs improves the general health and well-being of current residents and attracts new residents who are increasingly dedicated to maintaining their active lifestyles.

Assisted Living Trend #2: Larger Apartments and Increased Apartment Amenities

Between 2006 and 2009, the number of apartments in assisted facilities has decreased from a nationwide average of 63 to 54. This statistic reflects a trend in combining two apartments in order to accommodate residents who prefer larger living spaces. Whereas studios used to be the most common type of assisted living apartment, one-bedroom units are now more preferable and allow residents to keep more of their furniture and belongings that make their new apartment feel like home. In addition, many couples currently moving into assisted facilities prefer separate bedrooms for improved sleeping. Amenities frequently include spacious walk-in closets, 9-foot ceilings, balconies and/or patios to accommodate pet owners as well as enhanced kitchenettes with microwaves and small refrigerators.

Assisted Living Trend #3: Increased Flexibility in Financing Assisted Living

In light of current economic conditions, an increasing number of assisted communities are participating in Medicaid. According to a collaborative research project conducted in 2009 by the Assisted Living Federation of America, nearly half of responding assisted care providers have licensed up to 25% of their apartments for Medicaid. Other communities that may not accept Medicaid are partnering with companies that provide financing options such as a line of credit to facilitate move-ins prior to home sales. These types of options are very helpful to seniors who are reliant on the equity in their homes in order to afford assisted care. Given the number of veterans currently moving in to assisted facilities, providers are also dedicated to publicizing and promoting the Veteran's Aid & Attendance program. For more information about eligibility requirements for this program, visit the Veteran Aid website. Finally, it's never been a better time to ask assisted living communities about waiving entrance fees, locking in current rates and receiving assistance with moving expenses!

Considering a Nursing Career? Don't Let These 5 Myths About Nursing Stop You

Remember that television show staring physicians you watched last night? This on the "edge of your seat drama" might look and sound real. It isn't. Medical TV shows are fiction created to entertain you and to make money. They don't have to be true. In fact, they may perpetuate these five myths about the nursing profession.

Myth One: Physicians stay at the bedside to pick up changes in their patient's condition.

Reality: Nurses work 24 hours a day at the bedside. They are the professionals who observe the changes in a patient's physical or mental condition and take action to correct the problem.

Myth Two: Nurses stand around waiting for the physician to tell them what to do.

Reality: Nurses know what they need to do. They independently diagnose their patient's responses to illness and institute an appropriate plan to address these diagnoses. They interpret and follow physician orders for medical treatment without physicians directing them.

Myth Three: Nurses are just frustrated doctor "want to be's."

Reality: Nurses enter the profession because they want to, not because they were not smart enough to make it through medical school. They did not settle on nursing instead. Nurses and physicians have different roles. Physicians focus on the diagnosis and treatment of the patient's illness. Nurses focus on the diagnosis and treatment of the patient's response to illness. Physicians order tests and medications and perform surgery. Nurses provide direct care and teach, counsel, coordinate and manage patients' care. They advocate for patients when they cannot advocate for themselves.

Myth Four: Physicians supervise nurses.

Reality: Nurses are supervised by other nurses. Physicians, patients or patients' families who have concerns about an individual nurse should speak to the nursing supervisor. If nurses have a concern about an individual physician, they would talk with the nursing supervisor who would talk to the head of the physicians or the facility administrator.

Myth Five: Nursing is not important work.

Reality: Nurses make it possible for people to recover from or prevent illnesses and injuries. By using their critical thinking skills and clinical expertise, nurses save lives.

Over the past few years new TV programs star nurses who are smart, assertive, competent professionals. Although these shows are not always realistic, they have started to dispel some of the myths surrounding the nursing profession. Don't let an unrealistic TV show discourage you from considering a career as a registered nurse. Find out the facts.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

One of the most excruciating decisions a family may be faced to consider is the need to put an elderly loved one in a nursing home. Not only is there the potential for feeling guilty because you can no longer care for the person who raised you, but you also have concerns or fears to entrust the health and well being of a frail, elderly person to the hands of strangers. So imagine the horror you would feel if you suspect a parent or grandparent is suffering abuse or neglect. If you suspect a loved one is being neglected or abused, check for one or more of these signs which may indicate neglect.

Signs of neglect

The reason you put your loved one in a nursing home was because they were unable to care for themselves in many basic ways:

• Maintain proper hygiene
• Feed themselves
• Take medicine properly

In addition, they may also suffer from limited mobility and memory loss. After you put them in a nursing home, you expect the staff to provide your loved one with those needs. When an elderly person is neglected, they show signs that those basic needs aren't being met:

• Bed sores
• Symptoms of dehydration or malnutrition
• Symptoms that their medicine is not being administered
• Smells of urine or feces
• Looking unkempt such as hair not being brushed or wearing dirty clothes
• Lack of basic hygiene such as bathing or brushing teeth

This list is by no means all inclusive. If it seems your loved one is not receiving a standard of care that a reasonable person would expect, you should investigate whether your loved one is being neglected.

Signs of abuse

If anything is worse than neglect, it is abuse. An elderly person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. The elderly should never suffer any of the following forms of abuse:

• Isolation from the other patients
• Unreasonable restraints
• Screamed at, insulted, or threatened
• Hit, slapped, struck, bit
• Sexually assault
• Discriminated against for any reason
• Unreasonably medicated to control behavior

Furthermore, they definitely should not be inflicted with mental or physical pain or punishment. Some signs of this type of abuse are:

• Bruises or cuts
• Broken bones, especially broken hips
• Becomes withdrawn
• Wants to be away from other patients
• Starts biting
• Afraid to speak around the nursing home staff
• Shows nervous behaviors you haven't seen previously
• Sudden death

Like the signs of neglect, these signs are not all inclusive and limited to just these indicators. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, don't hesitate to take action. You need to do everything you can to protect the life, health and rights of your loved one.

Getting legal help

You can file a complaint on your own and even try to change nursing homes. However, elder abuse and neglect is not only illegal, it violates the rights of a group of people who cannot defend themselves. A Minnesota personal injury attorney can help you get results, stand up for the rights of your loved one, and even get your loved one compensation for any injury they might have occurred. If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, don't hesitate to call a personal injury lawyer. Your love one's life might depend on it.

Best of Toronto, Including Retirement Homes

From the best shopping to the remarkable sights; from Etobicoke to Scarborough and then the waterfront, there are sights worth seeing and places worth visiting in all corners of Toronto. It's the city with the best of everything including retirement communities and if you're even remotely considering retirement in Toronto, there's much to choose from.

Retirement communities today include the wide range of care that seniors require. Whether independent living is what you're looking for in a retirement community or assisted living suits your needs at this time of your life, both lifestyles plus memory care, skilled nursing care and even short-term stays are possible at a many of today's retirement communities.

Sunrise Retirement Homes - Mississauga, ON
Less than a half hour drive from Toronto and just a few minutes from Square One Shopping Centre, Sunrise Senior Living in Mississauga accommodates independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer's care. Sunrise retirement homes' staff places the health and well being of their residents as the top of the priority list and they are proud to offer chef prepared, nutritious meals each day. Full service dining at Sunrise means that mealtimes will be a restaurant style experience with well-balanced and delicious choices each day.

In addition to healthy choices in dining, Sunrise community residents can enjoy the amenities of city life in Mississauga. The lakefront community of Port Credit maintains a small town feeling with the quaint shops and antique stores for an afternoon of browsing. The walking paths and parks near the water mean you'll always have places to walk, talk and enjoy Toronto's mild climate all year.

The beautiful photographers' paradise, Kariya Park in the heart of Mississauga celebrates cherry blossoms and Japanese maples, and is the perfect place to meditate. The International Centre, Stage West Dinner Theatre, museums, golfing and the arts are among the many attractions of Mississauga and certainly ensure that there will always be something to do either with a group of friends or as an outing with visiting loved ones.

Thorne Mill on Steeles - Thornhill, ON
Thornhill, in the greater Toronto area, is home to 'Thorne Mill on Steeles' another beautiful Sunrise retirement home. This independent living community is near shopping, dining and all of the cultural events that highlight the diversity of Thornhill. With Toronto less than a half hour away, every amenity is nearby. Residents of Thorne Mill on Steeles enjoy regular trips and outings, fitness programs, art classes, recreational activities and so much more.

Questions to consider when searching for a retirement community
When considering a residence, community or retirement home in Toronto; ask the important questions, the ones you listed when you began your search. And if you're in the early stages of your search, now is as good a time as any to begin listing the things that are important to consider.

Here are a few to start with:
• What are the monthly costs, upfront fees and deposits?
• What signed agreements or leases will be required?
• What is required should you need to break a lease or agreement?
• What services are included in the monthly fees?
• How many per day are included?
• Are guest apartments available?
• What are the additional services available and their fees?
• What levels of care are provided at this location?
• What medical care and nursing services are provided or available?
• Is there transportation for appointments and outings?
• What is the security like for example, smoke detectors and alarms?
• What is the availability of staff?
• What about pets?
• Do residents and staff seem happy and friendly?
• Does it look like I might be comfortable here?

These questions are by no means a complete list but should provide a guideline to get you started. Take your list with you on your search for the right place to live and if arranging a guest visit is something you'd like to consider, ask about that as well. There's no better way to get the feel of a community than to take time to become part of it even if just for a day or two.

Senior Citizen Assisted Living Can Help Baby Boomers Keep Their Independence

Reaching your golden years is a great accomplishment. It is in fact one of the best things about living in the times that we do. There are so many opportunities and activities available now that did not exist previously, that it is almost impossible to take advantage of them all.

Senior citizen assisted living is one of those ideas that has come of age in a time when there are more people than ever who are retiring. The baby boomer group is the largest demographic group on the planet and many of them are reaching retirement age right now.

This has created a need for all manners of senior retirement arrangements that range all the way from complete and total care, kind of like the nursing homes used to be, through senior assisted living facilities which help seniors maintain all the independence they can for as long as is possible, to active adult retirement communities where often the primary focus is one golf or some other sport.

This range of choices is absolutely unprecedented in our society. Not only that, but with the touch of a few buttons on the computer keyboard, the internet springs to life and brings you tons of information about all these various living arrangements so you can decide exactly what kind of facility you need.

Assisted living facilities do a great job of tailoring specific service plans for their residents. This means that each person gets the care they need on an individual planned out basis. The goal is to not change the senior person's lifetime of habits or lifestyle but still make it possible for them to receive the care they need to live a great and fulfilling life.

There are many of these facilities in many locations and each of them is a little different in what they have to offer their residents. The types and levels of services offered can be quite different one state to another, and because the industry is overseen more by the individual states rather than the federal government, it is important to make sure that the kind of care you need is available in an assisted living facility in the state that you are thinking of living in.

It is not that any of the care is worse in some states than in others, it's just that the laws and regulations are a bit different. But as fare as getting the help you might need when you are living in a senior citizen assisted living community, all of them deliver exactly what you need. And not more than you need.

The goal is always is keep the most amount of independence possible and in the retirement community world, the assisted living facilities do the best job overall of juggling between providing care and maintaining independence.

Why Buy Long Term Care Insurance?

Before I discuss reasons for purchasing a policy, it is important to make sure that you understand what these plans cover. They are a type of health insurance, but they are intended to cover the costs of facilities or companies that assist disabled people with daily living activities. This is something that most medical plans do not cover, at least not for an extended period of time and regular use. Some medical plans, like Medicare, may cover short term or irregular care. However, benefits expire after a short time.

Here are some key things to note about long term nursing care:

• Your care could be from a home health aid, a nursing home, and assisted living home, or even an adult day care. It is for disabled people who cannot care for themselves. Some plans only cover certain types of care.


• Even though we call this type of care, nursing care, it does not always come from a registered nurses. It could come from an aid who assists patients with certain activities. They type of care that you will get depends upon what you need.


• Most of the time we tend to associate the need for this kind of assistance with senior citizens. However, many people under age 65 also become disabled and could need some form of nursing assistance.


• Basic Medicare benefits only cover short term or irregular care, and they do not cover long term care!

How Does Long Term Nursing Care Get Paid For?

Sometimes the bills may be paid by Medicaid, but this program is different than Medicare. In some states it may be very difficult to qualify for. Many times, a state resident will have to spend most of their assets in order to start getting Medicaid assistance. In other words, if you do not have any long term care coverage, you or your family will get the bills.

What Should You Know About Nursing Care Plans?

Long term care insurance (LTCi) can pay all, or some of, your nursing care bills. There are many different types of policies and coverage levels, so you should try to research a lot of different plans and companies before you buy! Some things that may vary are your waiting period, daily limits, types of care, and much more. They are also not the only way to plan for the cost of long term nursing care, and you should also explore other solutions.

There are some government incentives to encourage people to purchase nursing care policies. If you purchase a qualified policy, you may be able to deduct the premiums from your income tax. This can give you a tax break and an extra incentive to purchase coverage. It also reduces the real cost of your policy.

These days, many states are also trying to encourage residents to purchase nursing home policies. They relax Medicaid qualification rules for people with qualified nursing care insurance.

Note that qualification rules are different for state plans than they are for the IRS tax deductions. In addition, not all states have passed this legislation yet. A good long term care insurance agent or retirement planner may be able to help you if you do not care to research this yourself.

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Is Vital In The Operating Theater

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is a licensed professional nurse responsible for administering anesthesia to patients in the operating theater.

These highly trained nurses have a lot of responsibility and can perform the same tasks as an anesthesiologist. This specialized nursing job requires many extra years of training but is an excellent way for nurses to advance their careers.

By getting additional schooling you can efficiently administer medication and care for patients right through the surgical process. This includes medications sedating the patient and assisting with their care right through surgery. Upon the completion of surgery, your job is to then ensure that the patient successfully wakes up from the anesthesia.

As long as you have certification you can work in hospitals, medical centers and doctor's surgeries. Many dentists and podiatrists often retain certified nursing anesthetists as the main nurses in their office because of the versatility of CRNAs. There are only 30,000 CRNAs working in healthcare in the United States.

To become a fully registered CRNA, you have to have your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) degree and also be a certified registered nurse (RN). This means you should have taken your national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN), and passed this test to have this certification.

The only additional thing that you need to qualify is on the job training and at least one year's experience working in a hospital as an RN. Once you satisfy all of these requirements you can apply to a certified registered nurse anesthetist program.

Depending on the program that you apply to, you might have some additional items that you need to turn into a school along with your education prerequisites. To make sure that you are pursuing this career for the right reasons, some schools require a statement of purpose andyou will need to explain your reasons for becoming a nurse anesthetist. There is also an admission interview you will have to complete before you are finally enrolled into a course.

When you are accepted into your anesthetist program you will have around 24-36 months of schooling ahead of you before you can graduate. During this time you will learn all about anesthesia and additional anatomy. You will also take classes in pharmacology.

To actually receive your certification you will have to pass a national certification exam. The career path for a registered nurse anesthetist is wide open and you can make substantially more money in this vocation than as an ordinary registered nurse.

Different Categories of Nursing Jobs

Has the thought of becoming a nurse ever crossed your mind? Do you always feel an urge to help people? If you answer yes to these questions, then you should consider becoming a nurse. However, the nursing field has many different type of nurses that range from emergency care to in-home nurse that take care of individuals from the comfort of there own home. In the fallowing paragraphs we will discuss five different types of nursing careers you can choose from.

CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) - A certified nurse assistant is also known as nurses' aids or healths health aides. These nurses help patients accomplish everyday jobs like bathing, dressing or eating. They work under the watch full eye of a register nurse. They can be found in private homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. Everyday CAN's spend countless hours observing and interacting with patients.

RN (Registered Nurse) - Registered nurses are the most common type of nurses and they cover a large occupation in health care. A few of the jobs RN's are in charge of are providing medicine to patients, changing bandages and they also provide emotional support to patience and families. Registered nurses can decide to specialize in certain areas such as ER care or the care of children.

PHN (Public Health Nurse) - Public health nurses are registered nurses that specialize in the needs of a community. This means that they have the same responsibilities as registered nurses however, they often travel to schools, community centers, and patient homes where they work to improve the medical needs in specific communities.

HHN (Home Health Nurse) - Home health nurse are RN's that provide care in patients homes. The job of a home health nurse is to assist patients that can not leave their homes due to medical reasons.

Nurse Midwife are RN's that have additional training in midwifery, this means that midwife nurse work with pregnant women. This work includes the overall care of women, before, during, and after birth. Sometimes the Midwife's will also help to take care of the baby while the mom recovers from the birth of the baby.

The nursing categories mentioned above are only a few of the different variety of medical nursing. It is important to know that each type of nurse has to go through different training, although sometimes there jobs may over lap. Therefore the length of the time it takes for an individual to become a professional nurse may vary.

Before I close this article I would briefly like to talk to you about a "special" medical nurse that caught my attention. This type of nurse is called a "travel nurse" and just like the name suggests, this nurse travels to different countries wile being paid. Cool, don't you think so? Not only do they get to help people but they also get to see the World while doing so!

Have I spiked your interested in becoming a nurse? I hope so because a nurse career can be fulfilling and challenging.

The Different Types of Assisted Living

It is very good that you learn about the various types of assisted living. Knowing this information may be essential for your neighbor, family member, friend or even for ourselves. It is good that you are prepared with the different forms of services that are available. It is also important that you know how much these services cost, how to put them up, and which important persons must be contacted.

Nowadays, most families are becoming more involved with taking care of an elder person in their respective houses. This is expected to even increase given that there are more Baby Boomers. Taking care of the elderly could be a very rewarding thing for a member of a family. However, it is also considered to be very challenging. New skills have to be learned. To an extent, some time have to be given up to do the task. Added to that is the need to deal with several problems that are unfamiliar.

Constant emotional support for the elder person must also be present. More than that, they have to be involved as well in some decisions. For the caregiver, this could be both physically and emotionally draining. More than that, caregivers are supposed to watch out for themselves as well in order for them to have a strong mind and body.

An old person have several problems. As a caregiver, you should know how to handle each type so that you will be able to deliver the best possible care to the patient. Some of the most frequent problems are the following: incontinence, breathing problems, constipation, bone weakness, hearing problems, forgetfulness, swallowing problems, sleeping, pain and a lot more. It will be good if the caregiver could access the chosen physician for some questions on care.

Below are the nine types of assisted living:

1. Independent Living

There are some seniors who wants to just to live by themselves for very long period of times. This is not a bad option and usually, there are ways by which they could be helped in making this independent living an experience that is good for them. One way by which their independent living could be made easier is by making cooking easier for them. There are Meals on Wheels services which will ensure that seniors are getting good meals within a day. You could also contact a website that will be delivering meal at the homes of these senior citizens every day. With this service, seniors still become in control of their lives. They are still independent but they are being able to have a more convenient lifestyle. Another way by which their independent livings could be made convenient is by availing Handi-care buses which could be used for doctor appointments as well as for other different services.

2. Retirement Homes

These are homes that are apartment-like. They are usually located within a community. Inside the community, there are medical staff that are available when there is something that is needed by the senior citizens. In their apartments, senior citizens usually get a room which is big enough for them to place necessary appliances and furniture like a bed, a dresser, a T.V., a chair, a table, and some other few furniture. They could even place pictures within the wall in order to make it feel homier. Extensive care is assured since medical staff are present on-call. The seniors could come and go anytime they want. They could even keep a car if they have one.

3. In-Home Care

Several organizations and associations are providing help in this area. In this set-up, the senior just stays at the comforts of his own home. There will just be someone who will frequently come in to provide help with cleaning, cooking, washing clothes and other different services. This is good for those seniors who need very limited care and just need help with basic household chores.

4. Shared Housing

Aside from this being a rewarding experience, it could also help the senior cut down on his expenses. In this setup, some people will be made to move in the house of the senior. Then, they will be sharing expenses and shall be looking out for one another. Some of the costs that may be split up may include the household rent or it may include the payment of other bills like water and electricity.

5. Adult Foster Care

Several families are now interested into taking in a senior in their house which they will care for. For them, this experience is a very rewarding one. Most of those who do this are those children that do not have any grandparents. They could be nurse or just a random person who is very caring about the elderly.

6. Adult Day-Care

In this setup, the elderly will be dropped off in a day care center. They will stay there for hours. Usually, they are being provided with their meals. They also get their medications. Most importantly, they are being given the care that they need and they are being put in a safe environment.

7. Group Homes

In group homes, seniors are living in a home together with some other senior citizens plus a caregiver. Normally, there will be 6 persons within a home. They experience having a family atmosphere there, wherein they work together within the household.

8. Assisted Living

The setting in this type of assisted care is of a room type. Here, the senior has some furniture of his own. Then, he will be furnished with his meals and there will be people in charge of cleaning his clothes. There is also a medical staff nearby which assists in giving the medication of the senior citizen. They also take care of some minor problems which may arise.

9. Nursing Homes

Comprehensive care is being given in this type of setup. Here there are medical staff that is available for twenty-four hours. They do rounds in giving medications and therapy. The rooms here are usually shared. Aside from medications, all the meals are also being provided

The individual has several choices on to what type of assisted living he wants for their elderly. These solutions are very good for those individuals who could not afford living alone anymore. Knowing this information could be useful in helping the elderly to have an easier transition for their aging life.

Important Winter Safety Tips For Our Elderly Adults

Have you ever considered the health hazards for elderly senior citizens during the cold months of winter? Many senior citizens travel to warmer areas of the country to live during the winter, because they can't deal with the cold. But there are others who must deal with the weather conditions and the freezing temperatures no matter how cold it becomes. These are the senior citizens who can be most at risk of becoming injured or ill during the wintertime.

Senior adults that find they must deal with harsh weather conditions should consider these safety tips:

1. It is important to understand hypothermia. Hypothermia is a condition that causes a person's body temperature to drop abnormally low, often to a dangerously low temperature level. Hypothermia can be fatal and you should be aware of the symptoms:

a. Excessive shivering
b. Feelings of confusion
c. Feelings of sleepiness
d. Loss of energy
e. Cold skin which has an ashy or pale coloring
f. Slow breathing rate
g. Reduced heart rate

2. It is important to understand frostbite. Frostbite is a condition where a person's skin is exposed to the cold and is severely damaged. When the skin is damaged it can go all the way to the bone. When this happens, it can lead to a loss of limbs. The most affected areas of the body for frostbite are the ears, nose, cheeks, fingers and toes.

When the weather conditions are very cold, senior adults should protect themselves. Here are some protective measures they should consider:

· Always wear another layer of clothing, coat and gloves, socks and shoes when it becomes necessary to go outdoors. Return indoors immediately if your skin starts to turn red or turns dark or begins to ache. This could be a sign of frostbite.

· Because senior citizens are not physically able to remove snow from driveways and other outdoor work, they often become injured attempting to handle these chores themselves. It would be best to hire a professional to care for the property rather than risk personal injury to the senior adult.

· Before severe weather conditions happen, it would be best for the elderly person who walks with a cane to modify it in such a way that it help increase stability. Adding a metal grip to the bottom of the cane could keep the elderly person from slipping on patches of ice or snow.

· Remove shoes immediately after entering the home from the wet, cold snow outdoors. When the snow melts in the warm home, it will leave puddles of water in various places, which would be slippery and could cause a person to fall and become injured. Having a bench or chair close by so that you can sit to remove your shoes would be very helpful.

· Exercise is very important for senior adults as it helps the muscles to remain strong and flexible. It also helps with balance and coordination and helps to reduce risk of injury.

We must all prepare for the winter months of snow, sleet and freezing temperatures. Even though it is difficult for all of us to plan ahead and take steps to protect ourselves, our senior citizens are the most vulnerable. These individuals need a little extra attention to help keep them safe and warm during the long, cold days of winter.

Duties of a CNA in Nursing Homes

There are many different duties of a CNA in nursing homes. You will keep quite busy throughout the day if you are working in a continuing care community. If you are a CNA working in a nursing home, you will help residents with a variety of different needs. The type of tasks that you complete throughout the day can vary depending on which wing of the nursing home you are working on. No matter where you are working, you will always do all you can to provide kind and compassionate care to your patients.

There are many patients in a continuing care community who need assistance walking or who need to me moved in a wheelchair from their room to the dining hall, activity room and other areas. Some residents will need help eating and with other activities of daily living. When working as a CNA in a nursing home setting, you will most likely be required to bathe many of the residents.

Some residents will need assistance with toileting. There will be residents who need to wear adult diapers and who will need to be changed. You will always help a patient to maintain their dignity. When working with patients who are not able to move on their own, you will reposition them in their bed every couple hours to prevent bedsores.

If you are working as a certified nursing assistant, you will help residents with their grooming needs. There are some residents who you will help to brush their teeth, comb their hair and to put on makeup. Some men will need your help to shave or will need to be shaved. You might be asked to paint a lady's fingernails or help to style her hair.

You might be responsible for changing a resident's linen on their bed or even to do some light cleaning in their room if you are working as a nursing assistant. You will be apprised of your exact duties in regards to housekeeping when you are hired for employment.

As a CNA, you might be asked to help to oversee a patient's exercises. If a patient is able to exercise on their own, you can watch them go through their range of motion type exercises. You will be there if they have a problem or need some assistance while exercising. This is not something you will take upon yourself to do but rather only as directed by your supervisor.

When you are working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home, you might take vital signs. This could include monitoring blood pressure and temperature. You might be asked to chart a resident's intake of food and liquids. In some cases you might even help to monitor blood pressure readings. If a patient is ill or injured, you will need to follow your facilities procedure for reporting their ailment and getting them the help that they need. When you are hired for employment at a nursing home, you will be provided with details on your specific duties.

Settling a Personal Injury Case: The Primary Factors

First things first: if you are attempting to settle a personal injury case without a lawyer on your side, you're probably making a big mistake. This isn't always the case; while a lawyer can almost certainly get you more money, it may only be enough of a difference to cover his or her fees, in which case you have wasted your time. But to forge ahead with negotiations without so much as consulting with a lawyer is a bad idea. Still, some people do it, and if you feel that talking directly with the insurance company is in your best interests, you should at least know the factors that go into determining a settlement.

Direct Damages

These, by and large, constitute your hospital bills and lost wages. If you have been permanently disabled, you probably want compensation that allows for projected wages for the rest of your life. This is going to be hard to come by in a negotiated settlement and it's going to be nearly impossible without the help of a lawyer. When you attempt to negotiate directly without hiring a personal injury attorney, the opposing insurance company has nothing to be afraid of. Even if the facts of the case are blindingly obvious, the results of a negotiation are going to hinge on how seriously the other side takes you. Without a lawyer or the threat of a protracted, costly lawsuit hanging over their heads, there is little incentive for them to settle a large sum.

Non-Economic Considerations

Damages in a personal injury case aren't limited to those in black and white. Most states allow for non-economic damages such as "pain and suffering" and a decreased quality of life. These are tough to put a financial price tag on, which is just one more reason why you would be better off hiring legal counsel.

Your Bottom Line

You can hardly hope to have a successful negotiation if you aren't sure what "success" means to you. Before you begin talking money, you need to have a figure in mind. This should be the minimum amount you'll accept as a settlement. Use the above factors to arrive at a number you feel is appropriate. While you can, and probably should, aim for more, you need to know the figure below which you will not drop. If the insurance company can't meet this number, you'll know you need to proceed with a lawsuit. Do not allow proceedings to become so protracted that you miss your filing window.

The Importance of Social Security Disability Lawyers

If you're a social security applicant, you may very well know that it's impossible for non-lawyers to know the ins and outs of social security law. There are plenty of problems and confusions that could arise when you first apply. Therefore, to smooth up the entire process and get help all along the way, you would need social security disability lawyers on your side.

If you do not have a social security attorney on your side, it could lead to you missing out on some obvious facts and inevitably you could also miss out on some much needed benefits. These lawyers are specially trained and have studied about previous such cases. Therefore, if you're looking forward to getting your case approved, you would need to ensure that you do it right. One of the best ways to see to this is by hiring a reputed attorney for the purpose.

One good thing about most of these lawyers is the fact that they'll charge you only if they manage to win you the case. They also offer you free review of the prospective possibility of you winning the case, and they even go through your disability claim. If they're satisfied that you've got things right, they would be willing to fight the case for you.

You need not always go in for a disability attorney, if you've got time on your side, you could always try winning the case and getting your claims approved on your own. However, if you do come across any hurdles, you know where to look. All you need to do is organize the claim well and if you aren't familiar with the process, disability attorneys will do it for you. These attorneys are trained to help you solve such problems.

The disability lawyers will help you file the appeal right from the paperwork and documentation up to the actual case hearing. Since the lawyer knows the law of the land well, he can convince the judge to grant you what you deserve as he'd be able to explain to the judge what you can't.

Therefore, if at all you're planning on getting your social security work done, make sure to consult a social security attorney from the very start if you want to save yourself time and be away from worries. They'd help you every step of the way and you'd be happy that you chose to use their services.

Plan For Things That Medicare Does Not Cover

Do You Know What Medicare Doesn't Cover?

I the US, millions of American senior citizens and qualified disabled people rely upon Medicare for their health coverage. This large government program helps these people afford health services, but it does not cover everything! Some services may be covered, but not at a hundred percent. Even if you have Medicare, you will still have to pay some part of the costs for your health services. It is important to learn about you benefits so you know what is covered, and what is not covered.

Consider some common health needs that are not covered by basic Medicare benefits.

Long Term Nursing Care

The basic program limits the amount of nursing care that it covers. You may be limited to a specified number of days of regular nursing care expenses. If you need regular nursing care, either from a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult day care, or home health aid, you may run out of benefits if you rely upon Medicare. This is probably also true even if you have a supplement or Advantage plan.

Long term care insurance is another type of health insurance that is intended to cover this type of care. Otherwise, Medicaid may pick up the tab for qualified beneficiaries. There are also alternative ways to plan for this expense.

By the way, if you are researching retirement health insurance, make sure you understand the difference between Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with very low incomes and few assets.

Travel Medical Expenses

The basic program rarely pays for any health services outside of the US. If you plan to travel to another country, you cannot count upon your Medicare benefits to help you. Some supplements may extend this coverage, or you may choose to purchase an additional travel health insurance policy. It is a good idea to research these plans if you want to travel outside of the USA.

This may seem surprising, but I can imagine there are several reasons for this limitation. Some of these reasons may be political, and some may be financial.

Dental, Vision, and Hearing

Seniors and disabled people need dental, vision, and hearing services, but Medicare provides very limited coverage of these services. You cannot count on your benefits to help you pay the dentist, eye doctor, or hearing aid company. These are serious health needs, but beneficiaries must find alternate ways to fund these services most of the time.

You may chose to pay for these services out of your own pocket. You may also decide to buy additional coverage from a private company. There are also resources to help people with low incomes get the services that they need.

Why Worry About Things That Are Not Covered By Medicare?

It is important to understand what your benefits will help you with, and what they will not pay for. That way you can do a better job of preparing yourself for a secure and comfortable retirement! You may need to allocate more money for these expenses, or you may choose to purchase private coverage. The right course of action really depends upon your own individual situation.

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics

Over 1.6 million people live in licensed nursing homes across the United States and another million live in other long-term care or assisted living facilities. As the baby boom generation gets up in age these numbers will soon increase significantly. If you or a loved one is shopping for a nursing home, or already reside in one, you may not yet be aware of the increasing reports of nursing home abuse and neglect that occur in these facilities. Here are just a few things that recent studies have revealed:

• One study found that 44 percent of nursing home residents have suffered some form of abuse. 48 percent reported having been treated or handled roughly. 38 percent reported having witnessed the abuse of others.

• Roughly 30 percent of long-term care staff had witnessed some form of physical abuse of a patient in the previous year. 81 percent report having seen some form of verbal, physical, or other form of abuse over this same time period. 40 percent admit to committing such acts at least once over the previous year.

• 66 percent of nursing home residents suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive problems which severely limits their ability to take care of themselves or be aware that abuse is occurring.

• One third of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities have been cited for violations that had the potential to lead to abuse and 10 percent were cited for actual physical abuse.

• 85 percent of nursing home staff blames staffing shortages for the cause of abuse.

Perhaps the most alarming statistic indicates that only 20 percent of instances of nursing home neglect and abuse are ever reported. There are several possible reasons that such instances do not get reported. For one, many nursing home residents are too cognitively impaired to make a report on their own, whether they suffered the abuse or witnessed another resident being abused.

Those who are capable of making a report often choose not to out of fear that doing so would only cause further abuse. Considering that many nursing home residents do not have friends or relatives nearby who can check on them regularly to see that they are being treated properly, this abuse can become a chronic issue.

Good Nursing Homes and How to Find One

Going to a nursing home is the last thing most people want to do. Studies have shown most people prefer to stay in their own homes, followed by going to live in the home of a relative. Sometimes, however, those choices are no longer practical options. Entering a nursing facility can be a positive experience, but that depends largely on the quality of the facility you choose.

What factors indicate a quality nursing home, and how can you find one? This question is hugely important to both frail elderly loved ones and their families and friends. It makes a difference in the health and happiness of their daily lives. There are several factors that influence quality in a nursing home, the first of which is the staffing.

Nursing homes are staffed with both professional nurses and caregivers, all day, every day. The professional nurses are responsible for medication administration and health assessment and coordination, among other duties. Caregivers, or Certified Nursing Assistants, provide most of the direct care to the residents. Two of the critical staffing issues are the staffing ratio of staff members to residents, and the turnover rate of the staff in the facility.

The staffing ratio means the average number of nursing hours each resident receives. An independent resident advocacy group recommends facility staffing at 4.04 nursing hours. Lower staffing levels result in a decrease in resident care. Many nursing homes staff at much lower levels. Staffing ratios of 3.2 of lower are not uncommon. At this level of staffing, one caregiver would be taking care of eight to twelve residents during her shift. Whether or not this level of staffing is adequate depends on the amount of care each of the assigned residents needs.

Related to staffing levels are the facility turnover rates. Turnover rates indicate how often nursing homes have to replace staff that quit. Many facilities have turnover rates that exceed 100%. The rate that care staff have to be replaced impacts resident care, as the residents must continually get used to different caregivers.

Cleanliness is another important quality to evaluate. This is different from the decor. Is the floor polished and the carpet free of stains? Are there unpleasant odors? The level of cleanliness indicates the pride the facility takes in itself and the respect it has for its residents.

The dietary department has a huge impact on quality of life for the residents. For many people, meals are the highlight of the day. The meals should be appetizing, nutritious, and built around resident preferences.

The activities department helps nursing home residents find stimulation, social interaction, and enjoyment. The activities should be diverse and planned for residents with varying functional ability. Special programs that bring the community into the nursing home and the residents into the community should happen frequently. Family and friends should be encouraged to visit, and visiting times shouldn't be limited.

How can you evaluate a particular nursing home to see if it meets these standards? The best, most objective resource in medicare.gov nursing home compare. This is where survey results are posted on the web. You can compare facilities side to side in such measures as overall quality, staffing, quality indicators, and more.

After narrowing down the choices, visit each nursing home you're considering several times. Visit at different times of the day and different days of the week, especially on weekends. Look at the latest survey report, which must be posted in an easily accessible location. The information on the website can be outdated, but the posted survey will be the most recent one conducted.

Notice how the staff interact with the residents, how many staff members are working, and the emotional atmosphere. Can you see your loved one living there? Culture change is the idea of care being centered around the resident and their preferences. Is the facility an adherent of a resident centered culture, or must the resident fit into the routine of the facility? Many nursing homes still function around a medical model of care. An awareness of the factors that contribute to a quality nursing home will help you make a decision you and your loved one can live with.

Elder Abuse Prevention in Nursing Homes With a Spy Camera

If you are a baby boomer or about to become one and your parents are still alive, you are faced with a dilemma about their care. Millions of Americans are being challenged by this problem. Can you afford the $3,000.00-$8,000.00 a month or more for a nursing home? If not, the options become limited very, very quickly. Home healthcare is about all that's left.

It has been reported that approximately 20 percent of all nursing homes or assisted care facilities report some kind of elder abuse of their patients. That can be manifested in physical, verbal, or even in non verbal abuse. For patients with Alzheimer's or dementia the statistics are even higher.

And sadly, as more and more older Americans flock to these facilities the demand for qualified labor intensifies which only makes the problem worse-finding qualified people.

So if you have loved ones in a nursing home or an assisted living facility of some kind how do you go about preventing or catching elder abuse in a nursing home?

One of the best ways for elder abuse prevention I have found is with a hidden spy camera or spy camera. Now there is a new breed of spy camera out that has a DVR built right into it-a DVR hidden spy camera.

The spy camera is nothing more than a Board camera hidden inside a common everyday device. The object is usually a working object, which further enhances the deception. Some examples are boomboxes air purifiers, wall clocks, electrical outlets and other common objects. The more common the better.

So inside these objects is the camera and the DVR. The DVR records images to an 8 GB SD card. Up to 144 hours of recording time is available and with the motion activation feature enabled it is possible to record much more.

You place the object aimed in the direction you want to record and using the remote control you can start the recording.

If you are looking to catch elder abuse of your parents in a nursing home or assisted living facility a DVR hidden camera may be the best way to go.

When are you getting one?

Check Out the Top Reasons Why the Elderly Gets Injured

It is common knowledge that older people are far more prone to injury. They have less control over their bodies and they also have less strength. Those two things, control and strength are the two most important qualities needed by a person to stay away from being injured.

If you have a senior family member, then you know just how prone they are to injury and to accidents. We have compiled here a list of the most common reasons why seniors get injured. You might be able to use this information to prevent your family from falling into harm:

Falls- Here is an alarming fact: Falls are rated to be the highest leading cause of death for Americans who are 65 years and older. That means it kills more seniors than any kind of disease.

About 40% of all Americans who are 65 years old and older fall at least once each year. We all know the danger of that because their bodies are very vulnerable.

Abuse- Another sad fact connected with the elderly population of America is that they are the victims of abuse and neglect. A study conducted way back in 1996 showed that about half a million Americans who were 60 years old and older were the victims of physical abuse and neglect during a one year period. What's alarming is that the trend seems to indicate an increase rather than a decline with those numbers.

Since seniors have reduced capability in defending themselves, they are seen as easy targets for physical abuse by criminals and other undesirable elements. They can get hurt and sometimes they might not even report the incidents.

The same thing is true when it comes to neglect. Elders have lesser ability to demand the attention and care that they need. Sometimes they are just left alone.

Vehicular Accidents- The numbers of licensed drivers who are 65 years old and older are increasing every year. As a person gets older vision and motor skills are greatly reduced and so these senior drivers can be a potential risk on the road, not just to themselves but to other people as well.

Residential Fire- If you study the figures of those who die in residential fires each year, you would see that a greater portion of them are seniors. They are at risk in such emergency situations because they would have little of the strength needed in order to escape. They are also be less alert in situations where a split second might be crucial.

Suicides- Statistics show that the rate of suicide increase with age. That means seniors are the age group that is particularly prone to it.

Sexual Abuse- Even the elderly can be victimized by sexual abuse. This might include verbal and physical forms of abuse. Unfortunately, little is known about this fact with almost no studies being conducted.

These are some of the leading causes of injury and death among seniors. If you have an elderly family member then you ought to be aware about these facts in order to take care of them properly.

Recliner Chairs for the Elderly

In today's growing population of senior citizens, there is an urgent need to provide services and create innovative and affordable products that can allow them to be happy, healthy, remain social, and continue to contribute meaningfully to our society. Recliner chairs for the elderly specifically provide the mandatory comfort and help that most senior folks need for their everyday activities. For this reason assisted living services for the aged present such tools for use by their residents.

Elderly people require help and care that isn't always obtainable at home, which is why most of them opt to dwell in assisted living facilities, where they get their very own help to handle their daily needs. And the kinds of chairs they use are an essential part of their daily routines.

Advantages of Recliner Chairs:

- Comfort is imperative to improve the living conditions of elderly people. Since growing older comes with completely different issues, be it bodily or mental, seniors require extra things to achieve comfort. Recliner chairs are good for elderly folks, particularly since a whole lot of them have a hard time sitting on account of various musculoskeletal problems.

- Recliner chairs for the elderly present the mandatory help that aged people need. Since bones and joints are likely to deteriorate into weak and delicate ones as individuals age, it is advisable to offer the services that may make it easier for seniors to move around. Recliner chairs which can be designed particularly for seniors provide the mandatory heights and depths to enable them to sit down without having to crouch and to stand up without a lot struggle.

- Numerous recliner chairs could be adjusted with just a push of a button. There are additional controls to adjust the level of reclining and most varieties have assistance for the legs so that people are seated comfortably with their legs inclined, offering higher blood circulation.

- Some aged folks become rather immobile, so that they are not able to do much, not even get out of bed. Recliner chairs for the elderly provide comfy seating for them every time they take their meals or watch tv without having to subject their backbone, bones, and joints to much discomfort.

There are plenty of advantages to getting recliner chairs for seniors, particularly since they spend most of their time indoors. These chairs will permit them to read, watch television, play games such as chess, or entertain visitors without being limited to lying down in their beds.

Basic ACFI Training Guide to Follow

One can easily understand a teaching when he or she has an experience about it. Indeed, in every experience there's a lesson being learned. In every action, there's a principle behind it just like in providing medical care and support to the aged citizens. It is very important that you know and understand what you do. When you are assigned to take good care of a sick and old patient, you must possess the right skills and sufficient knowledge. You can only become a competitive care giver and service provider if you know how to follow the basic principles of your job. Comprehensive ACFI training is defined as Aged Care Funding Instrument and it must be taken up before you expose yourself in the actual field.

It is true that constant practice makes perfect results. This principle can be applied in taking up a health course. Of course, you must master your profession because your work is to improve patients' physical condition. You have to remember that the type of your work is seriously important. Although there are difficult things that you will encounter, you can still make it through with proper practice and extensive learning.

ACFI or Aged Care Funding Instrument is not just a program that supports patients financially but it has also other objectives aside from funding. This program also provides healthcare and aged care facilities, useful equipment and apparatuses to the nursing homes and health centers. Because of the broad vision, there are so many things to be learned and understood. Care givers must have enough training and complete comprehension regarding proper facility management. There are rules or policies that need for the staff to abide. It is the welfare of the elderly is the main concern in this kind of service. Healthcare centers, nursing homes, and hospitals should employ well-trained and adept employers in order to have error-free operations.

Moreover, Aged Care Funding Instrument program must be properly documented and monitored by the assigned staff. They must see to it that the funds allocation is correctly done. The elderly residents need not just financial support but an intensive care as well. In order for you to have a deeper understanding regarding ACFI, search for basic user guide over the web.

Managing an aged care facility is not as easy as you think. It needs a group of competent staff in order to successfully manage the facilities, funds, documentations, and many more. Though it seemed to be costly because of the facilities being used, everything is still working out positively. This is because the government and other private sectors help in funding for aged care services.

Alzheimer's Care Facilities Explained - What They Are, What to Expect, How to Pay For One

What They Are

Alzheimer's care facilities are live-in facilities that provide care for individuals with dementia who cannot live independently. Both nursing homes and assisted living facilities can provide residential care for Alzheimer's patients; however, the term Alzheimer's care facility typically is used to describe assisted living residences.

Sometimes Alzheimer's care facilities are a part of a larger assisted living community which also serves seniors who do not have dementia, but require some type of personal care or help. These types of facilities tend to have a separate dementia unit although dementia patients may socialize and interact with other residents during activities. Some assisted living facilities provide only for mild dementia care and require residents to move should their dementia become more pronounced. Make sure your loved one is thoroughly assessed before looking into Alzheimer's care units so you know exactly what kind of care your loved one needs now-and what level of care they will most likely require in the future. Ensure that your loved one isn't forced to move out of community by asking questions as to what kind of care is available and under what circumstances a person would be asked to leave the community.

What to Expect

Alzheimer's care facilities provide room and board, some housekeeping, social activities, supervision and assistance with basic activities like personal hygiene, dressing, eating and walking. A facility that specializes in Alzheimer's or dementia care should also have safety precautions in place to prevent wandering, such as personal monitoring systems or locked dementia units. Caregivers should be trained in handling behaviors associated with dementia, such as Sundowner's syndrome or combativeness.

Facility staff either provides or arranges transportation for residents. Most facilities offer three meals per day, as well as snacks in between meals.

These facilities are considered nonmedical facilities and are not required to have nurses, certified nursing assistants or doctors on staff, although many facilities do have medical staff either onsite or on call. Medications are usually stored and distributed to residents so that the dosage and timing is monitored.

How to Find the Facility That is Right for You

Facilities should be evaluated to ensure that the needs of the patient and family are met and exceeded. It is often vital for all parties involved to have the facility located near family members in order to allow for regular visits. Before making any decisions, prospective facilities should be toured and evaluated for:

* Care Capabilities. Figure out if the facility can manage your loved one's condition both now and in the future.

* Safety. Rooms and bathrooms should have emergency call systems. Staff should perform in-room checks on a regular basis. To prevent wandering, Wanderguard or other personal monitoring systems should be used or the dementia area should be secured.

* Cleanliness. Take a look at residents to determine the level of personal attention and care they are receiving-are they well-groomed and clean?

* Staff Attentiveness and Expertise. Make certain staff has specialized dementia training on top of being good care providers. This means caregivers understand the disease and how to communicate with individuals who are not always able to express themselves. They should know how to manage combativeness, recognize signs of pain and be able to create solutions for the challenges often associated with eating, bathing or toileting in dementia patients.

* Plans of Treatment. Ask management how often care plans are re-assessed. It should be on an as-needed basis and every few months.

* Activities. Check not only the amount of available activities, but also how appropriate they are for your loved one's cognitive abilities. Usually dementia programming mimics everyday activities, such as having a dementia-safe kitchen for cooking activities, has time set aside for art projects or reminiscence and incorporates some basic exercising.

* Menu Options. Keep in mind nutritional needs and also your loved one's personal preferences, which may become more limited in moderate to later stages of Alzheimer's.

* Planned Schedule. Individuals with dementia do better with a regulated schedule as such ask the administration about what the everyday routine is.

* Common Areas. Common areas should be free from clutter as dementia patients often have trouble seeing low-lying objects, such as coffee tables, or distinguishing objects from one another. Many good Alzheimer's care facilities have special areas, such as one for reminiscence, a quiet room or sometimes even a Snoezelen. A reminiscence area may have childhood toys or dolls, sports memorabilia or other items that help bring up memories and can aid in helping dementia patients talk about their lives, especially with visiting family members. Quiet rooms are places that often have low lighting and virtually no stimuli and can aid agitated dementia patients. A Snoezelen is a room with specialized lighting, tactile surfaces, calming music and sometimes pleasant odors; it works to stimulate the five sense and can be soothing for some dementia patients.

* Decor. Lighting should be bright, even and warm. Carpeting, drapery and furnishings should not have busy patterns as it can be mistaken for insects or other objects. Resident's rooms should be clearly marked and it is a good sign when the resident's artwork and family photos adorn the walls to personalize each room. Kitchens should not have microwaves or access to anything with which a person might hurt themselves such as knives, scissors or exposed burners. All taps should have well-marked hot water handles so that individuals do not accidentally burn themselves.

* Secure Outdoors Areas. Individuals with Alzheimer's often benefit from spending time outdoors; however, any patio or garden areas must be secured or fenced so as to keep residents safe. Some facilities even have special gardening areas or greenhouses which can be a very rewarding activity.

A facility's licenses and insurance documentation should be up to date and accurate. Check references from families who have had loved ones with similar diagnoses as your family member in order to measure actual experiences. Review the patient's and their families' rights to determine how any concerns that may arise will be handled.

Try to determine the overall "feel" of the facility and notice if it is generally calm and organized. The best facilities encourage family participation and strive to maintain the dignity and safety of those entrusted to their care. You should also take note of what the average cognitive levels of the population is and what the protocol is in place for patients should their dementia becoming progressively worse. Find Alzheimer's care facilities in your area and also check out our Assisted Living & Alzheimer's Care Facilities Learning Center to learn more about finding dementia care in your area.

Paying for Alzheimer's Care Facilities

Medicare, Medigap and Managed Care do not cover care in Alzheimer's care facilities. In some states, Medicaid will pay for Alzheimer's facilities; however, very few facilities accept Medicaid as reimbursement. Long-term care insurance policies (LTCI) and Veterans Benefits sometimes can cover the cost of Alzheimer's care facilities. Most Alzheimer's care facilities are private pay. Read a detailed description of all types of reimbursements.

LTCI

What It Covers

Facility Only and Comprehensive policies pay benefits in an Alzheimer's care facility, but the amount of coverage depends on the individual policy. For information on how to determine what kind of LTCI policy suits your needs, visit Duane Lipham's Expert Column on LTCI.

Veterans Benefits

What It Covers

Veterans Benefits refers to care in an Alzheimer's facility as Community Residential Care. The program provides health care supervision to eligible veterans who are unable to live independently and do not have anyone to provide the required supervision and care. The veteran must be able to function with minimal assistance.

Conditions and Limitations

* Veteran must meet eligibility criteria for VA benefits, and

* Demonstrate need for this type of care

Florida Children Being Stuck in Nursing Homes

It has recently come to the attention of the Justice Department that Florida has been institutionalizing hundreds of young children with disabilities by putting them in nursing home facilities that are designed for elderly patients. And the children are not just staying for a quick layover, some have been in a nursing home for years. These actions are in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Justice Department believes that the reason behind having so many children in nursing homes is due to Florida failing to set aside enough money to cover in-home nursing care, therapy and other services that would enable parents to care for their own children in their own homes. Federal investigations show that the state has completely cut 24-hour in-home nursing and other home-based services for children who use ventilators, feeding tubes, and other complicated technology. Without any help from the state, parents are trying to find the funds to take care of their children at home, but many are falling short and are forced to let their children go to a nursing home.

Children by the hundreds are being put in these nursing homes all over Florida and they are growing up without their families. At least 50 children have been stuck in the same home for 5 years. Tom Perez, the Assistant Attorney General to Pamela Bondi, the Florida Attorney General, state that the children "live segregated lives" and are not given many chances to be around children or adults without disabilities. They are also not given opportunities to experience a majority of educational, social and recreational activities that are "critical to a child's development."

These children are surrounded by elderly nursing home patients and a few other children with disabilities. They spend the majority of their time in their beds or watching TV and federal authorities have said that their educational opportunities are limited to about 45 minutes per day. These kids are classified as "medically complex" or "medically fragile," and can be suffering from traumatic brain injuries or cerebral palsy. Some are on ventilators, many have tracheotomies, and most need medical apparatus or equipment to help them survive.

A 5 year old quadriplegic child, injured in a car accident, has been residing in a state facility for three years. Her mother has been trying in vain to bring her home, told that there is a waiting list for community and home-based services that is between 5 and 10 years. Another child is a 6 year old girl living in an institution who has to receive nutrition through a feeding tube. While under her mother's care, the feeding tube fell out several times and it was recommended that the girl should be released back to her mother, but to give the child brief daily visits from a nurse to maintain the tube. The state refused to pay for any amount of nursing care, and so the child remains in the facility.

It's estimated that to be cared for in a nursing home, each child costs about $500 per day, which is more than elderly patients cost. Nurses are working overtime, scurrying between patients, and desperately trying to take meet the needs of a wide range of patients. Federal investigators are threatening a lawsuit. Florida maintains that they were just following federal laws.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Moving the Elderly to a Home For the Elderly

The Basic Truth

We will all grow old some day and there is need for us to be mindfully prepared. The elderly are our loved ones and even as we had moved out earlier to live separately, there are times when we are faced with the option of bringing them back to live with us again or choosing to send them to places where they will dearly be cared for. While some may not welcome the idea of living with their elderly parents for some peculiar reasons, some on the other hand will readily take back their aged parent or parents with them. There are factors that many consider before thinking of taking back their aged parent to live with them.

Factors That Some People Consider Before Taking in Their Aged Parents or Not

If you are single, separated or divorced, there is a possibility that the company of your aged parent will be a very welcome idea especially if you have enough space to accommodate you all under one roof. This will also save you considerable costs and afford you opportunity to continue to spend more quality time with your elderly parent.

However, if you are married and with children, taking in your elderly parents to live with you under same roof may pose some space challenges depending on the type of accommodation you have. Even though your children may be excited by the idea of having their grand parents permanently in their house, you as the adult may have the emotionally crunch of having extra persons to carter for.

It is important to note that there are some beneficial aspects of letting your old dad or mom or both to move in with you. One of it is the fact that you will be saved the stress of frequenting the elderly people's home if you were to keep them there. Another benefit of having your elderly parent move into your home is that you will be handy to seek for the best medical help in case of any emergency as you may have known their medical history and know how best to attend to their medical needs.

Apart from the above, moving in your elderly parents may not go down well with your teenage kids who may not like to be subjected to grannies frequent questions and inquisitions.

Some Los Angeles elderly care experts have divergent opinions from all these. They reason that harboring a surviving elderly parent at home can cause friction between the elderly and the children because of some elders nosy attributes and some elderly parents habits of unnecessarily interfering with marital spats has also been given as some of the reasons they shouldn't be lived with at old age.

What Options Do You Have When You Don't Want to move the elderly into your Home?
The home for the elderly is a simple answer to that because there is need for the caregivers to be away from the care receivers sometimes for more effectiveness. You may not know it but your elderly parents may sometimes need to be left alone even if it is on a temporarily basis. This is one good reason you should consider before moving your elderly dad or mom into your home. Though moving your parents into home for the elderly has also been the most popular option.

Inside Mental Hospitals and Behavioral Units: A Bipolar Patient's Point-Of-View

Popular media portrayals of mental institutions often depict unflattering prison-like facilities staffed by stern attendants trying to manage patients as if they were small children in constant need of severe whippings and isolation. Except for government-run facilities for the indigent and criminally insane, today's hospital settings are much more benign and peaceful. This fact is not due to the oft-portrayed result of overmedication needed to keep patients from being too active and unmanageable as found in nursing homes; rather, it stems from today's empirical knowledge that a serene and comfortable environment is key to a patient's mental and emotional healing.

When an individual experiencing a mental disorder episode is either violent or not determines whether he or she is taken to either an emergency room (ER), a private mental hospital, or public hospital behavioral unit for assessment. The out-of-control ER patient typically receives a sedative medication upon admission to prepare him or her for transport to a mental health facility. Both they and non-violent individuals who enter a psychiatric unit are first assessed in order to discover their underlying condition(s). With the patient safely inside a secure facility, a psychiatrist prescribes an initial mix of psychotropic drugs to arrest and stabilize the patient's presenting condition and immediate symptoms' presentations. A lengthy hospital stay is often required because most psychiatric drugs require 2 to 4 weeks administration before behaviorally affecting the patient.

A violent or unruly patient is sometimes taken to a locked and padded isolation room for observation before his or her initial dosing of meds wears off. A psychiatrist, psychotherapist and case manager are assigned to the patient. The "in-control" patient in either a private hospital or general hospital behavioral unit is quickly assessed to determine the nature of the current episode. A patient history is also cobbled together. He or she is asked a battery of questions concerning moods, thoughts, actions and beliefs by a psychologist or trained psychiatric nurse, caseworker or licensed social worker (LSW). However, the patient is primarily scrutinized according to his or her "body language," as 65% of all human communication is non-verbal.

Medical care is often limited, constrained by government regulations, sub-standard facilities and medical professionals' unions found in state and federal (e.g., veteran) hospitals. There is even a lack of basic janitorial services at some of these locales. Additionally, "drug lists" used within these institutions are narrow and limit the physicians' use of the latest, most-efficacious and commonly prescribed psychotropic medications available in the marketplace.

Complicating adequate patient care in many of these facilities is the fact they are mandatory repositories for both criminally insane and indigent patients. As with prison facilities, dangerous contraband including drugs and sharp objects often find their way into the patient population and constitute an existential threat to all in-house staff and patients. Basic equipment, as can be found in most hospitals, is either non-existent or broken. A padded crutch or fully functional wheelchair may be non-existent or broken. A lone wheelchair may exhibit an undersized seat, loose armrest, pinch-points, missing footrests or broken brake lever. Group and individual counseling are pedestrian at best and absent at worst. Occupational and physical therapies often do not exist. Food is often substandard.

Standard procedure in all hospitals is having all items except for the textile portions of patients' clothing bagged and safely stowed to prevent theft and injury to the patient by items like pocket knives, belt-buckles and other items known as "sharps." Disposable slippers or cotton socks with non-slip rubber soles are issued in lieu of the patient's original footwear. Meal service is either smooth-edged metal spoons or plastic flatware accompanied by either unbreakable smooth-rimmed melamine or non-injurious paper or styrofoam plates. Styrofoam drink-ware is also used. Meals are of above-average quality and quantity. This stems from patient dietary needs due to disorder-caused eating issues that have deprived most patients of both nutritious and adequate amounts of food. Meals are served in either buffet lines or catered-style metal food warmers. The latter usually contain meals selected by patients the previous day from menus offering a choice of entrees, beverages and desserts. Much light-hearted trading of food takes place around the tables during mealtimes.

More women than men occupy a psychiatric unit at all times. Although an equal number of men and women are bipolar, women suffer depression twice as much as men do. Hence the patient census typically exhibits 15%-25% more women than men on any given day. With the wide variation of patients, their personalities, and manifold states of their drug therapies, arguments between and among them are not uncommon, as are physical confrontations. Psychiatric technicians and nurses are always on guard to immediately quash these encounters.

Psychiatric facilities focus on both mental (including emotional) and physical health for patients. Spiritual needs are not addressed except for an occasional, optional 15-minute non-denominational session on a Sunday morning, for example. The goal of a restored circadian rhythm in patients explains the strict observance of scheduled morning wake-up calls, meals, group therapy sessions, physical and occupational therapies, other activities and bedtimes. Occupational therapy consisting of small construction and art projects provide for patient relaxation, sense of accomplishment and success in meeting small goals. Sometimes batteries of mental and physical tests are administered to gauge the overall status or health of the patient. An Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test is but one of these exams.

Mood patient anxiety, mania and depression slowly subside in response to a varying drug "cocktail" in an attempt to discover the best course for the patient. Also, a physical, emotional and social activity regimen is instituted to achieve a patient's overall goal of mental stability. "Level" or "stable" moods, not joy or happiness, are the goal, as is commonly misunderstood by the layman, for achieving mental recovery. Outpatient therapies and counseling may be administered before ultimate patient release. When a lack progress is evidenced after treatment with various pharmaceutical therapies, bipolar I and severe cases of clinically depressed patients may undergo Electro-Convulsive-Therapy (ECT or "electroshock therapy") to relieve the pain and damage done during episodes of mania, deep depression and catatonia. Although these procedures produce tremendous restoration of patient moods, they are performed at the expense of varying degrees of either or both temporary and permanent loss of patient memory.

As in-patients, a holistic approach to healing takes place due to the coordinated efforts of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric technicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, case managers and social workers. This advantage to the patient is abruptly interrupted upon release and can cause varying levels of anxiety and perhaps a relapse. There may be only psychiatric visits after leaving hospital and perhaps some psychological counseling. Sadly, these two professionals, psychiatrist and psychologist, are usually not in communication with one another and the resultant disconnect results in a patient's issues being poorly addressed. While the psychiatrist is primarily concerned with drug therapies, the psychologist is more concerned with talk, thought, emotional, and behavioral therapies. This scenario often, when combined with the patient's continuing poor domestic environment and poor responses to life challenges, will often require another visit to his or her hospital alma mater, or result in injury or death.

Once stabilized to the satisfaction of one's psychiatrist and other staff, the patient is readied for release. A strange feeling creeps into the patient's psyche as his or her release date and time draw near. He or she has been "ready to leave" for days on end and cannot wait for release. Nonetheless, immediately prior to walking out the door, anxiety strikes the patient with full force. The realization of having been in a peaceful, nurturing environment contrasts with having to confront the stigma of having mental illness, their home environments, and former (sometimes toxic) relationships with others and having no outside help. Fortunately, for most patients, they are usually referred to a counselor or licensed social worker with whom they can continue their recovery back in the "real world." Either an out-patient program or support group meetings can provide other avenues for recovery and maintenance of their mental health.

Because mental healthcare is a specialization and therefore more costly than general medicine, medical insurance usually covers a relatively small portion of both in-patient and out-patient mental health expenses or none at all. Lifetime total in-patient hours are often limited despite high premiums. And, as with any medical hospitalization, the mental hospital facility and doctors each bill the patient separately.