Nursing Homes|Nursing Home Abuse|Assisted Living Facilities

These are the reasons why you---as public, need to join and help this country stop bad nursing homes and stop bad physical rehab centers, now or as soon as possible. We must stop the horrors that are happening behind those closed doors so that we can all rest peacefully at night.

Lately, after consulting with many people who have seen the inside of some nursing homes and some physical rehabilitation centers, I came to the conclusion that for the most part, going into one of these places with lack of mobility almost always guarantees that you get physically worse. I have seen people go into these places in fairly decent condition and come out in horrible condition. (Note, this article is about the bad places, not the decent ones).

If you do need physical rehabilitation try your best to get out-patient rehabilitation. That will probably be the best and the healthiest thing for you to do. You will get more exercise; you will have more control over your life and you will save yourself pain, grief and suffering.

Always opt for outpatient therapy if you can not walk. I am not a doctor or a physical therapist, nor am I a medical professional, but I have seen patients go in and out of these places, and have first hand knowledge of people getting more ill and becoming less independent after they enter some of the worst nursing homes and the worst physical rehabilitation centers in America.

Oh, the "worst" of the bunch are not even listed on the government's worst list. The real worst of the bunch have a controlling group of individuals--usually the higher-ups that manage to hide the horrors when the inspectors come to see the nursing homes. How do they hide this? Picture this scenario? Picture an inspector coming into a nursing home ( a horrible one), and signing in at the desk. Everyone has to sign in or at least show identification. Then, picture someone on the speaker making a seemingly harmless announcement, such as "Joe Smith wanted in the dining room" or something else like that. This announcement alerts the rest of the staff that the inspector is coming into the building.

Now, anyone who is not at their post, and most areas that are not being attended--can be manned and people can pretend to be attentive to patients. Administration or directors can keep the inspectors or investigators occupied while everyone "cleans up" the place. Or the place can be cleaned up as the inspector is being in the elevator.

For example, a nursing home having filthy clothing in the hallways, instead of having it brought to the laundry, can cover this up by grabbing all the laundry out of the hallways, depositing it into bins on wheels and wheeling it down the opposite hallway (from the opposite end of the hallway that the inspector is coming down). Yes, someone can spray ozone spray or disinfectant and this floor can be seemingly clean. This is all an illusion.

Once I visited a nursing home -physical rehabilitation center and exited off the elevator, since I was not an inspector, they made no announcement and no cleanup. The entire floor stunk of body fluids and filth. It was so bad that I almost got very ill. Some of the employees were actually used to the smell. Now, this is not your ordinary institution smell, but the smell of a floor that was unattended and the smell of patients who were in dirty diapers for hours and hours.

I witnessed a man with wet pants -dripping wet pants -having to sit there for hours while no one attended to him. And this man was able to walk by himself but he was not permitted to go to the restroom. As he walked down the hall, his filthy pants, dripping wet and stained looked very uncomfortable and most likely the way this man was reacting, this was something that he was used to putting up with.

Remember, the key things to look for when first finding a nursing home or rehab place:

• Watch what they do with residents clothing. How they treat residents' clothing might be a clue as to how they will treat your family member or you. One of the places that we visited was always losing clothing(this didn't happen at the better places), and that same place also lost residents. We had heard that one resident got 'loose' ---walked out--twice, when the staff didn't even know she was missing. One had got loose even when they had a one-on-one. The person left the patient and the patient walked right out of the door of this horrible nursing home and rehab center. AFTER that they got security--that asked for special identification- and all visitors had to take badges. Funny though, it wasn't a visitor that escaped, it was a patient.


• Watch how they treat family members. If they treat family members with a lack of respect, they will surely treat the residents worse than that. Look, open your eyes.

Now, this is a place that looks "nice" in the lobby, and it's a place that gives a good first impression, yet, it is a house of horrors described above... yet, it is still in business. And it still is not on the government's worst list.

What you have just read is the truth about one nursing home but yet, it could be the truth about a thousand nursing homes. Kindly visit your local homes. Get the public involved. Ask that your school or your workers be able to visit and be able to stay for a while. Watch those red warning flags when nursing homes seemingly do not want visitors and do not want outsiders, such as holiday singers etc, into their residences. Really do your research if you are interested in having a family member stay at any nursing home. Remember this --that what you see on visitors' day is not always what the patients or residence sees. Look clearly, long, and deep. Read between the lines to see the truth behind those curtains. And keep connected here. Your comment might be able to change lives and to change conditions inside the walls of nursing homes in your own city.

Updated 2012.

Long distance caregiver is a new role that is thrust upon children and younger family members these days. After all, families used to live closer together, with children residing and working near their parents, but these days family members are more distant from each other.

According to a report by the Alzheimer's Association, 7 million Americans provide 80% of the care to ailing family members, there are approximately 3.3 million long-distance caregivers in this country with an average distance of 480 miles from the people they assist, and the number of long distance caregivers will double over the next 15 years. The report also states that 15 million days are missed from work each year because of long distance care giving.

Professional care managers (also known as geriatric-, elder-, or aging- care managers) represent a growing trend to help employed and/or distant family caregivers provide care for loved ones. Such experts assist caregivers, friends or family members provide care, make decisions, and find governmental and private resources. They are professionals who are trained to assess the abilities and needs of the elderly, and to evaluate and recommend care for them. Their backgrounds include fields such as nursing, social work, psychology, and gerontology.

These professionals are becoming extremely popular as the liaison between long-distance family members and their aging loved ones. That's why it is important to find a geriatric care manager where your loved one lives, since he or she will have knowledge of the resources in the area and can serve as your eyes and ears when it comes to your distant loved one.

The following is a partial list of what a care manager might do:

• Assess the level and type of care needed and develop a care plan.


• Put the care plan in place and keep it functioning.


• Make sure care is in a safe and disability-friendly environment.


• Resolve family conflicts and other issues.


• Become an advocate for the care recipient and the caregiver.


• Implement and manage long distance care.


• Conduct ongoing assessments to implement changes in care.


• Oversee and direct care provided at home.


• Coordinate the efforts of key support systems.


• Provide personal counseling.


• Arrange for services by legal and financial advisors.


• Arrange placement in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.


• Monitor the care received in a nursing home or in assisted living.


• Assist with the monitoring of medications.


• Coordinate medical appointments and medical information.


• Arrange or provide transportation to medical appointments.


• Assist families in their decision-making.

Services offered will depend on the educational and professional background of the care manager, but most are qualified to cover items in the list above or can recommend a professional who can. Fees vary. There is often an initial consultation fee that is followed by hourly or flat fees for services. Medical insurance usually does not cover these fees, but long-term care insurance might.

When you take into account the time absent from work and time to find the right care resources for your loved ones, along with the cost of travel expenses to monitor their care, you will probably agree that using a caregiver is money well spent. Add to this the stress of handling your own life circumstances combined with being a caregiver, and you will probably wonder how you could have ever done without the care manager.

Police officers are legally able to use force against individuals when provoked. In some cases, police use force when unprovoked or use excessive force when only moderate force is warranted. The use of excessive force can lead to severe injury and, in many cases, death. Death caused by police brutality is wrongful death and is punishable by law.

Police brutality can occur for several reasons, but the most common cause of excessive force results from the officer's psychological state, or when the police officer's perception of the situation affects how he or she reacts.

One such situation is when the officer feels disrespected. Some officers will act out against the disrespectful individual even though it is not the legal or moral thing to do. They may do this either to punish the individual for disrespecting them or to intimidate any other people present.

Another situation from which excessive force may arise is racial profiling. An officer who racially profiles individuals may overact to crimes committed by individuals of certain ethnicities or falsely accuse an individual of a crime because of his or her ethnicity. Both cases may count as brutality.

When police officers feel intimidated, they may preemptively strike an individual even if the officer was in no immediate danger. It may be harder to prove excessive force in this case because the officer may claim he or she felt threatened and had to act for his or her safety.

In each of these cases, the police officer committing the brutality may be doing so to assert his or her dominance since police officers are in a position of authority. Officers found guilty of this offense may face criminal charges. Families that lose loved ones due to police brutality may be entitled to monetary compensation for their loss.

No matter the reason a police officer used excessive force, the officer in question should be held accountable for his or her actions. Most of the time, police brutality cases are difficult and tricky. It is important to contact a lawyer that specializes in police brutality cases to help you properly build your case.

When the police are guilty of brutality, they should be held accountable for their actions. If someone you love died because a police officer used excessive force against him or her, contact the Pennsylvania police brutality attorneys at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Ski hill cases can present complex issues and questions in a lawsuit. It is important to consider the case early on. Injuries can happen because a person did something that they should not have done, or failed to do something that they should have done. Often times, the reason for the injury is not immediately clear. It is not unusual for lawyers practising in this area to retain engineers and orthopaedic surgeons to provide opinions about the reasons for the injuries.

For instance, there have been past cases where people have been injured because their ski bindings did not release. This can happen if the ski bindings are not adjusted properly for the person skiing. If the bindings do not release, a person can sustain greater injury than they otherwise would have. The types of injuries can include fractures, knee damage, chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

Injuries can also happen if the ski hill is not properly organized and monitored. Another potential cause of injury is if a skier causes you to sustain an injury (ie: they trip you or crash into you). Ski hills have responsibilities to their customers. Ski hills may rely upon waivers that are signed at the ski hill, but they cannot rely upon those to abdicate their responsibilities entirely. In the past, courts have assigned blame despite the existence of a waiver clause or form. A lawyer who is knowledgable in the area can provide you with an analysis of your particular situation.

If you have been injured in this or some other way in Ontario Canada you may be able to claim compensation by way of a lawyer with a lawsuit or through other means. When meeting with a lawyer it is important to speak to the lawyer about whether he has handled these types of cases in the past. These cases are complex and they can raise unique issues. Do not be afraid to ask your potential lawyer about his or her game plan for your case (how is he going to prove your case, what are the risks and the weak points in your case).

Deciding to put a loved one in a nursing home is a very difficult choice. It is emotionally stressful to place someone who has cared for you under the care of strangers. In addition to medical care and daily sustenance, safety is a big concern. If a fire occurs in nursing homes, residents are less able to escape than healthy, independent people. To become more aware of the reality of this threat, take a look at summaries of five cases of nursing home fires and the losses suffered by each.

1. Hampton Plaza Fire of 2008

On May 14, 2008, two men were pronounced dead of apparent smoke inhalation following a nursing home fire in Niles, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on the third floor of the Hampton Plaza Nursing Home. Two more were injured of the same cause without life-threatening damage. The fire was believed to have been caused from smoking materials stored in a closet, belonging to two residents who smoked. The fire claimed the lives of two residents who were asleep in bed when the fire broke out in very late evening. Upon the firefighters' arrival four minutes after being alerted, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Borkowski claimed that, "There was zero visibility in the room"1 already filled with smoke. In this case, the facility was equipped with sprinklers and smoke detectors which worked properly and responded effectively to the fire.

2. Governor's Creek Health and Rehab Fire of 2008

An afternoon fire broke out in Governor's Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center in Green Cove Springs, Florida in April of 2008. The fire claimed the lives of one resident and injured five patients and three staff members. The fire is believed to have been caused by the deceased victim smoking in bed while using an oxygen machine, allowing for rapid spread of the flames. The concrete structure of the facility contained the fire to one room, allowing staff members to break windows to ventilate other rooms as patients were evacuated. The fire was isolated mainly to the victim's bed.

3. Mount Pleasant Fire of 2007

On December 30, 2007, Blues legend Weepin' Willie Robinson was the victim of a fire at Mount Pleasant Home in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston's "Elder Statesman of the Blues" also was the victim of a fire in his room resulting from smoking in bed. He knew this was against policy but would forget at times, finally claiming his own life just before the new year. Robinson was found when the fire alarm and sprinklers were set off in the early morning hours.

4. Tula Nursing Home Fire of 2007

In November of 2007, 31 residents were killed in a nursing home fire in the Tula region south of Moscow, Russia. The facility was in violation of numerous fire safety codes, including not having a fire alarm. The rapidly moving flames combined with thick smoke claimed the lives of the victims. The wooden interiors of the brick building encouraged the fire's quick advancement. A short circuit in a second-floor ceiling lamp was the apparent cause of the fire. Survivors claim that the lamp began smoking before crashing to the ground to spark the initial flames. Some residents who escaped with their lives were able to jump from windows out of desperation, even losing consciousness for a time. The facility had previously been under appeal to be shut down in violation of numerous fire safety rules, including replacing the electrical system which had been deemed a fire hazard.

5. Southern Russia Nursing Home Fire of 2007

A southern Russia nursing home lost 62 residents as the result of a fire in March of 2007. The high death toll is attributed to an incomplete alarm system as well as the sluggish response of a watchman who heard two fire alarms and alerted the nursing home staff prior to notifying the fire department, delaying authorities by approximately 21 minutes. Many of the victims were bed-ridden and unable to escape the smoke and flames invading their rooms. The fire came as the deadliest in Russia in more than 15 years. Home to more than 90 residents, the facility violated 36 fire safety standards. The facility contained insufficient equipment to protect against smoke, and the wooden panels lining each room were not flame-proofed.

Nursing Home Fire Safety Factors

It is impossible to be too particular about to whose care you entrust your loved one. When selecting a nursing home, be sure to include fire safety questions in your inquiry such as:

- Does the facility use fire-retardant on combustible materials?

- Does the building meet fire safety code?

- Does the facility have and maintain adequate fire protection equipment such as fire alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers?

- Will the fire department automatically be alerted of a fire in the building?

- What is the smoking policy of the facility?

Even when all of the fire safety standards are met, there is no guarantee that fires will not ignite or be extinguished before anyone is harmed. In the American instances above, many lives were saved due to the structure of the buildings and the usual quick response of rescue workers. However, even with these assistances, smoke inhalation cannot be remediated if the poisonous gas has already invaded the lungs. In circumstances especially where residents are prone to forgetfulness as in the case of Weepin' Willie Robinson, fire hazards are always a possibility. It is far better to prevent fires from starting than to extinguish them afterwards.

Paul Galla

1 [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-nursing-home-fire-both-16may16],0,1400649.story

2 http://www.news4jax.com/news/15935283/detail.htmlp

Planning care for an elderly parent is a difficult decision and one that many families confront, often with conflicting ideas, when their aging parent shows signs of decline. The only universal answer is, "It depends". There is no one answer that fits all. What does your parent want? If it's to stay in their own home, as is often the case, can you or other family members provide a safe environment and the necessary care to keep them there? Consider the costs to you, emotionally, as well as financially. Too often, a loving caregiver's health declines faster than the one they are caring for. If you are caring for your parent now or considering doing so, keep this in mind: you must recognize the stresses on you and your family; your spouse and children need you, too. Once your parent is gone, at some point they will be, will you still be there for your own family? Here are some things to consider and to discuss with other family members: siblings as well as your spouse and children.

1. What is your relationship with your parent? Are you or your parent often impatient, short-tempered, continually critical or demanding of each other? Or, are you caring for your parent now and exhausted?

2. Dementia posses challenges when wandering or other behaviors are beyond your control and are a risk to your parent and others. You can restrict their wandering by keeping outside doors locked as long as someone is with them, and it does not interfere with escape in case of fire or other disaster. You cannot lock them in a room or tie them down. Adult protective services will step in, as they should.

3. Does he or she require intimate personal care (injections, incontinence, bed sores, other wound care, etc) that goes beyond your ability to provide? Some people are able to remove themselves from the discomfort of those tasks and provide the care, no matter what. If that is not you, don't force it.

4. Fragile health requiring skilled nursing care is more difficult to manage at home, though not out of the question. If the doctor thinks your parent has less than 6 months to live, and you really want to keep them at home, you can engage the services of Hospice. They will provide the necessary skilled care wherever your parent is, whether it is at home or in a facility.

5. Social interaction with friends and family are important to all of us. For elderly people, who are limited in their ability to get out on their own, socializing with others where they live is important. If aging-in-place (remaining in their own home) means loneliness and isolation, then they are likely to decline more rapidly.

If any of the above applies, then hiring caregivers to provide in-home care or placing your parent in a care facility are your best options. There are numerous in home caregiver agencies. Hire a care manager to assess your situation and make recommendations. Assisted living residences are available, from homes in residential neighborhoods accommodating 5-6 individuals, to large multi-story complexes for many individuals and with many services. Some of them are sponsored by different faiths. Skilled nursing facilities, i.e., nursing homes, take individuals who, as the name suggests, need skilled nursing care. If your parent is transferred from an acute care hospital at the doctor's recommendation, then Medicare will cover the cost for up to the first 100 days. If you admit your parent from home, you must pay the bill.

I am a proponent for keeping a loved one at home whenever possible, if that's where they want to be. Trained caregivers are caring, nurturing people, and they are more removed emotionally, than you are. This distance enables them to manage the more difficult aspects of care while still treating them with respect, and hopefully humor. In my own experience (many others have reported this also), my father didn't listen to me, his "child", despite the fact that I was an elder care professional. He ignored me or often did the opposite when I made suggestions; but when his caregiver gave the same advice he would say, "good idea", and do it willingly. I stepped aside, supervising from a distance, and let it flow organically. When the time comes for you to make this difficult decision, discuss it with your parent, siblings - all of them, and your own family. If you can't all meet in person then have phone conferences, or email "conversations". Don't leave anyone out of the discussions - it will come back to bite you later if you do. If your parent isn't capable of making realistic decisions include them anyway. They need to feel included and know they have a voice in the matter.

Little is more heartbreaking than watching a loved one of advanced age struggle with poor health, deteriorating mental capacity, and loss of quality of life. Unfortunately there are people who prey on the vulnerable for their own gain; those who take advantage of, intentionally harm or neglect the aged are guilty of elder abuse. This type of abuse can occur anytime anyone interacts with an elderly person; often family members are the perpetrators, but those in positions of authority also have the power to harm a vulnerable older person -- a financial advisor, a health care practitioner, or staff at an elderly care facility. In the case that your loved one has been the victim of elder abuse, you may wish to pursue legal action. Litigation attorneys are trained to advocate on behalf of your parent, relative, or loved one, ensuring their rights are not violated further, and financial compensation is made when appropriate

Elder Law Protects Your Loved One From Financial Abuse

Perhaps the most common type of elder abuse is in the area of finance. Family members may see an opportunity to benefit from handling financial affairs as power of attorney; skimming funds or paying oneself a "wage" for handling finances is unethical, just as coercing a loved one to leave you money in their will against their wishes is also. If you suspect that there is wrongdoing with respect to any aspect of an elderly person's finances, a litigation lawyer can help. A solution may be as simple as contacting the public guardian or trustee office on the person's behalf so an audit can be done. In serious cases of financial wrongdoing, litigation attorneys can file an emergency power of attorney to replace the abuser; they can also begin litigation proceedings to advocate on the elderly person's behalf, and bring the perpetrator to court to defend his or her actions.

A Litigation Attorney Can Assist With Disputes Over Health Care

In some cases, the elderly have designated oversight of their health careto an advocate, but their advocate does not act in their best interest; they may decide on care that is inexpensive or inadequate (in order to increase their inheritance, for example). At other times, the health care provider is abusive verbally, physically, or by neglect. Medical malpractice of an elderly patient is another instance in which the expertise of a litigation attorney would be required.

While it may not always be possible to protect an elderly person from abuse or neglect, it is within your power to be informed about what to do when health care has been compromised. A litigation attorney can advocate for temporary guardianship should abuse be evident, and can also take steps to begin a legal process to remove the rights of an abusive advocate, and when appropriate, sue for compensation.

Speak With A Litigation Attorney Before Abuse Can Take Place

Attorneys with expertise in elder law may be able to help you and your family before your parent or loved one is vulnerable to abuse. Often a litigation attorney will be available to help with will and estate planning, which will ensure the person's wishes are protected (and minimize the risk of coercion from less than ethical influencers with regard to wills and estates). Consulting with an elder care lawyer about end-of-life issues, long term medical needs, as well as general estate planning and administration will ensure everything is in order before your loved one is ill or deemed incompetent to make decisions -- and is prone to falling prey to abusers.

Elder law was established to protect the elderly and their families from wrongdoing with respect to healthcare, finances, and wills and estates. Consult with an attorney who specializes in elder law and be informed and prepared in advance of illness and the death of your loved one. Developing a relationship with an attorney you can trust before you ever need to take legal action will ensure that you and your elderly loved one feel safe and protected, and hopefully, never have to go to court to defend your loved one's rights.

While no car accident feels common when you are involved in it, there are some types of car accidents that happen more often than others. Below you will find a list of the most common car accident a short explanation of how they might happen.

Rear end collisions: These are most likely to happen when one vehicle is stopped. This could be because of a traffic light or stop sign. If the following vehicle fails to stop in a timely manner they run into the back of the stopped car.

Head on collisions: This type of accident most often occurs when both vehicles are moving in opposite directions. Sometimes one driver is pulling out to pass a car and fails to see an oncoming car. Both cars meet head on, usually causing damage to the engines and sometimes to the drivers or passengers in the cars.

Pedestrian involved accidents: Normally if a pedestrian is involved in a car accident it is when crossing a street or road. The person crossing may not notice the vehicle and the driver may not see the pedestrian. Sadly this happens most often with young children and elderly people who cannot react fast enough to avoid being hit.

Collisions involving multiple vehicles: Accidents such as this usually happen on busy highways, often due to bad weather conditions that make it difficult to control the vehicles involved. However, they could happen on any busy street with a higher speed limit. When cars are traveling faster, it takes more time to slow down or stop, making it more difficult to avoid an accident.

Collisions caused by rear-view mirror blind spots: These accidents often occur when a vehicle is backing out of a parking place, or possibly when backing into a parking space. Although, it is possible that an accident could be caused when a car is changing lanes, if they have a blind spot and do not notice another vehicle coming up behind them.

Collisions caused by drug or alcohol use: While accidents involving drunk drivers are becoming less numerous they still happen daily. Accidents involving drunk drivers can happen any time and any place.

Collisions caused by driver distraction: Distracted driving accidents are very common, especially since the advent of cell phones, iPads, and other communication devices that can be used in cars. In the past it was most often the passengers in the car that distracted a driver. This is no longer the case.

These are just a few of the more common types of car accidents that could happen almost anywhere at any time of day or night. When you are driving a vehicle it is vital that you pay close attention to what the vehicles around you are doing, for your own protection and the protection of your passengers.

Research has proven that for those individuals suffering from an illness or disability, that living in the comfort and familiar environment of their homes can contribute significantly to their physical and mental well being and rates of recovery. As modern society is progressing to an hourglass formation of population distribution, whereby there are higher proportions of aged and younger individuals, more families will be charged with the responsibility of looking after elderly family members as well as raising their own children.

Nearing retirement and ageing gracefully should be the golden years of life for everyone and for many, spending these golden years in their own homes is not only desired, but deemed necessary. Maintaining independence is essential. However, many will require medical care and advice that is not able to be provided by immediate family and friends. The care of elderly parents needs to be discussed thoroughly by all the parties involved to ensure that care giving decisions are made in the best interests of the elderly parent as well as all caregivers. It is important to have respectful and open conversations, assessing the care requirements based upon their mental, emotional and physical condition.

In many instances, the option to have healthcare professionals attend the family home to provide care for the elderly is the best option. Whether specialised medical care is required for an advanced illness or disease, or if simple assistance is required to help with daily routines that have become somewhat difficult due to the natural occurrences of aging, healthcare professionals can ensure that the quality of life of the individual remains at the highest of levels. There are many benefits of caring for the elderly in their own homes including: the provision of care in a manner that ingrains dignity and independence, preventing or delaying the need for hospitalisation or institutionalisation in nursing homes, freedom and comfort of the individuals concerned, specialised care designed for the specific needs of the patient, as well as providing the platform to keep families together.

Nonetheless, there are situations where elderly care is not feasible to occur within the home environment. While it is admirable of families that wish to take the challenge of caring for their elderly family members at home, there are some instances where the individuals may require more specialised assistance and care that isn't available in the home, even with the professional assistance of medical staff. In these cases, other alternatives may need to be evaluated and chosen.

However, deliberating over the issues of where an aged family member should live when they are no longer able to live independently is an extremely difficult decision, often leaving family members feeling guilty for even considering the options. The need to balance the requirements of the family, with marital and career responsibilities, requires decisions to be made that work for all the parties involved.

Whether the decision is made to retain elderly family members within their existing homes or other living alternatives are sought, professional healthcare staff will ensure that the golden years will be enjoyed with dignity and independence.

Once you learn how to become a health care administrator and take the necessary steps to enter the specific career of your choice, there will be a world of job opportunities at your fingertips. Health care administrators and managers make up a huge portion of the workforce in consulting firms, insurance organizations, hospitals, public health agencies, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other medically-related organizations. As a healthcare administrator you will be able to carry out long-term goals, create and implement policy, manage personnel, oversee both capital and operating budgets and more. So how do you enter these important professions?

The first step to becoming a health care administrator is earning a college degree. You will need to earn at least a bachelor's degree in business, gerontology, health sciences, public administration or social services. There are also master's degree programs that are very useful for these careers, such as the MBA in Healthcare Management.

The degree does not guarantee a job, though, so you'll need to get some experience. If you can find work in a healthcare facility, nursing home, social services organization, home health care company or hospice center in any capacity, from nursing to administration, you will be a better job candidate once you finish school. Some jobs will even require several years of entry-level experience or at least one year of administrative or clinical management experience before you can apply. Healthcare administration jobs in nursing and rehabilitation centers also require passage of the state and national Nursing Home Administrator licensing examination. Background checks are standard in these occupations as well.

As a healthcare administrator you may have to earn continuing education credits to remain employed. If your job requires any sort of professional license, you can assume you will need to apply for this license as a term of employment. All this hard work should pay off, though. Salaries vary depending on experience, location, specific job title and the type of organization you work for, but you can expect to be compensated well. While an office manager might only start off earning around $30,000, the average salary for this job reaches $65,000, and hospital administrators can earn as much as $130,000 with diligence and advancement.