Nursing Homes|Nursing Home Abuse|Assisted Living Facilities

A common cause of hospital readmission is urinary tract infection (UTI) associated with catheter placement. This is especially true in the elderly and stroke populations discharged to nursing homes.

The belief is that a hospital treats a patient, sends her back to the nursing home from which she came, only for that nursing home to leave her catheter in too long which subsequently causes a UTI and associated symptoms such as "dizziness and giddiness" that look like they could be stroke related. Thus, the patient is admitted to the hospital, treated and the cycle continues.

Meanwhile, the hospital is unable to cover the cost of the admissions for various reasons: failure to document "present on admission," too many resources were used to diagnose the problem and rule out a stroke, the patient didn't meet admission criteria or payment for the billing DRG simply was less than the cost of the admission.

You can prevent these admissions quite simply by knowing more about the nursing homes to which you're discharging patients. We recommend looking at two pieces of quality information and sharing with families when choosing a nursing home:

1. Percent of long-stay residents who have/had a catheter inserted and left in their bladder (the national average is 5%)
2. Percent of long stay patients who had a UTI (the national average is 9%)

A quick search on nursing homes in the Detroit area yielded surprising results. We found one home in Taylor, MI where 20% of long stay patients had a UTI. That's 11% above the national average! One might find that hospitals in that area discharging to this nursing home have higher than average readmission rates and are losing needless amounts of money.

If that is the case, these hospitals should quickly implement a procedure to present these simple pieces of information to families as they are making long term care choices. Armed with the right information, families can find better care for their loved ones and help you improve your bottom line.

Home Health Care in Los Angeles

Home health care is health care that is provided to patients inside their home, and usually by either health care professionals or family and friends. The term "home care" suggests that the care provided is non-medical and more of a custodial nature, whereas "home health care" may suggest licensed staff members. The differences here are similar to the differences between assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Much like assisted living facilities, home health care lets seniors enjoy a good measure of independence. An elderly individual or couple will appreciate having privacy as well as assistance in daily living needs.

What Home Health Care Provides

What kind of services does home health care provide? Home health care may help seniors with daily living needs such as bathing, dressing, house keeping and cooking and dining preparation. Depending on the needs of the resident, there may be special provisions such as transportation services and errands, volunteer programs, exercise and walking, and toileting assistance. More extensive forms of home health care would also provide rehabilitation programs, including visits from physical therapists and nurses. Other qualified home health care professionals may include respiratory nurses, occupational nurses, social workers, mental health workers and physicians.

Who pays for home health care? This type of outside assisted living program can be paid by private resources from the resident or family, by public payers such as Medicare and Medicaid or by employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Medicare will usually not pay for home health care on a long term basis while Medicaid is more likely to help low-income families with little or no assets. Employer-sponsored home health care is likely to be on a short term basis unless the insurance plan is very generous. Most of the time home health care will be paid for by a family's own resources.

Comparing Home Health Care with Assisted Living

How does home health care compare with in-house stays at nursing homes and assisted living facilities? Most seniors would prefer home health care, of course, as people always do value their privacy. However, there are also circumstances that would necessitate constant supervision of the resident at an assisted living facility, and not only occasional visits. Home health care is basically assisted living, but with even more independence. Therefore a resident that cannot be left alone for long periods of time would be better suited in a nursing or board and care type home.

It might appear that home health care would be cheaper than a stay in a nursing home. However, home health care costs can be just as expensive, depending on the number of hours aides work. Some residents have admitted that full time home health care usually costs twice as much as a stay in a board and care or assisted living home. Most home health care agencies will charge about $20.00 an hour or over. If the resident is relatively independent then the fees associated with the service can be controlled. However, don't forget that if your needs are minimal to begin with, you could hire a trusted individual to perform the same tasks and save money from paying an agency fee.

Home health care is ideal for seniors who feel well and can easily get around but who need occasional doctor visits and help with housekeeping. It is also a preferable choice if a senior needs full time care but does not want to become a resident in a public nursing home. Full time home health care provides the most privacy and personal attention possible. If you are looking for this type of senior assistance, you should always be mindful of the qualifications of workers, as opening one's home to a stranger could always be a security risk. The best home health care agencies have screened workers who are well qualified in their field.

How We Can Help You

ElderHomeFinders is a company dedicated to helping seniors locate assistance in the southern California area. We inspect assisted living facilities and retirement communities in the area so that our clients will find the perfect home at a price they can afford. Can ElderHomeFinders also help seniors find home health care? Yes. Our company can put you in touch with the right home health care agency, according to your special needs and budget limitation. We can also advise you on the differences between home health care services and assisted living and board and care facilities and which choice would better work for you. Seniors have worked hard all their life and surely deserve the best health care possible - whether in a senior living facility or in their own home.

As our population grows older the number of seniors looking for a peaceful end to their lives by turning to nursing homes and assisted care facilities continues to grow. It is no secret that these facilities are usually understaffed and frequently use employees who are not all that well-qualified. Because of increased emphasis on profitability it is common practice to compromise standards, assuming that there are any in the first place.

When people go looking for a nursing home the last thing they expect is to find a problem with criminals working in the facility. That is exactly what the inspector general of the federal Health and Human Services found out in a recent report. Ninety percent of all nursing homes employee one or more people with a criminal record.

The report goes on to this show that over 40 percent of those employees with a record were guilty of property crimes like burglary, shoplifting, or of writing bad checks. Twenty percent had DUI's and fifteen percent of nursing homes had employees with two or more criminal convictions.

Part of the problem as noted is that the standards sometimes are so low that a background check is bypassed completely. Variation of this problem is that states sometimes only require a background check in the local state. If there was a conviction in the neighboring state it wouldn't show up.

In the year 2006 there was a law passed that required the creation of the database of workers. In 2010 the Department of Social Services decided that it would not seek money to comply with the law.

So there is a lack of standardization in requirements for background checks. Additionally, employers are likely the look the other way if something does show up, which is a major concern. Again, financial considerations are at work here. A well-qualified employee will cost a lot more than someone you with a criminal record.

The Obama administration is trying to create a national program to nationalize background checks for nursing home employees. 10 states so far received federal funds to do the background investigations. As you may have guessed, participation is optional.

There is so much pressure to hire someone, anyone, that frequently standards are out the window.

There isn't much that family members can do on this front. And there is no study that has ever been done on the correlation between employees with criminal records and a mounting evidence of elder abuse in nursing homes which occurs in one out of six facilities.

One thing that can be done by family members is to protect a family resident in nursing homes by installing a hidden spy camera. They can easily detect any abuse.

There's a variation involving how properties are bought versus how nursing households are bought. Though the two these deals come beneath the broad type of purchasing home (genuine estate), the terms and costs of lending are governed by absolutely unique laws in every single case due to the fact homes are individual qualities which comes under the classification of domestic investments by folks, even though invest in of any industrial house - for whatever the objective - arrives underneath the purview of industrial lending charges. For example, when a person wishes to make use of the avenue of non-recourse lending for your obtain of a home, it is possible for him to make use of his IRAs so as to ameliorate his borrowing capability. A lot of people do that. Nevertheless, a businessman investing in expansion of his organization cannot do the identical matter.

Still it is feasible to make use of a Non-recourse financial loan to acquire nursing houses by utilizing the piece of home alone as collateral for securing the mortgage. Hypothecation is strategy of employing the house as collateral. It is most normally understood by borrowers as 'mortgage'. Although the idea itself is acquainted, it's important to have the quotes for hypothecation before getting into the cope having a lender as the charges and phrases of mortgaging property range in accordance with form of offer and also the guidelines in the jurisdiction.

Along with acquiring house by means of non-recourse personal loan, there is also a provision to implement residence via lease. The most common actions for getting hospital amenities, nursing properties and recuperation facilities is via the triple-net lease. On this, the lessee or the tenant is anticipated to shell out for maintenance, making insurance coverage together with all of the taxes applicable, as well as the lease hire. Most industrial buildings appear less than this classification of leasing, as are some home residences.

When seeking to acquire nursing houses as a result of non-recourse loan, you will find particular advantages which the buyer/borrower ought to hold in mind - for these are strengths which other creating proprietors would not be able to avail on their own of: Nursing properties and assisted residing loans are thought of on the basis of size and sort of building and according to these parameters, a possible purchaser can get estimates earlier than settling for any cope. The Housing and Urban Improvement (HUD) division which is the proponent of loans for these properties very first considers whether or not the premises are profit or non-profit oriented. With many other factors such as building, renovation or acquisition made the decision upon, quotes could be obtained for that bank loan.

Alabama has approved its own Nurse Assistant Certification programs ever since Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act in 1987. The law is in place so states can oversee the standards of care in long-term care facilities like nursing homes.

The Alabama Department of Health approves CNA training programs throughout the state and maintains the registry list of CNAs that are legally allowed to work in long-term care facilities.

Requirements to work as a CNA in Alabama:

• Successfully complete a state-approved training program


• Pass the CNA State Exam (both writing and skills portion)


• Have a clear criminal history background check
  
  

Salary Average for Certified Nusing Assistant AL

• $21,000


• $10.00/hour

Training program criteria in Alabama

Each program will differ from the next but all programs have to keep up with standards set by the State of Alabama

• 75 hours of training


• Classroom Learning


• Hands-on Learning

Applying for reciprocity in Alabama

If an approved CNA moves to Alabama from another state they must first be employed by a long-term care facility before they can apply for reciprocity. At this time they will be places on Alabama's registry

List of State-Approved Training Programs

Below are a few training programs in the sate of Alabama. For a complete list of training programs please refer to the Alabama Department of Public Health or contact them at:

Alabama Certified Nurse Aide Registry

Alabama Department of Public Health

Division of Health Care Facilities

The RSA Tower, Suite 600

201 Monroe Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

Phone: (334)206-5169

Fax: (334)206-5219

Easter Seals Central Alabama
2125 E. South Boulevard

Montgomery, Alabama 3611

Phone #: (334) 288-0240

Fax: 334-288-7171

• 
  Tuition is $1,150 and includes:
  
  
  
  • 
    Five week intensive training
    
  
  
  • 
    Instruction by a qualified R.N.
    
  
  
  • 
    2 uniforms, 1 lab coat, 1 pair of shoes
    
  
  
  • 
    Watch
    
  
  
  • 
    Stethoscope
    
  
  
  • 
    Textbook
    
  
  
  • 
    Fee for CNA exam
    
  
  
  • 
    Background check, TB test, drug screen
    
  
  
  
  

Gadsden State Community College
1001 George Wallace Dr
Gadsden, AL 35902-0227

Phone #: (256) 549-8257 (For Nursing Assistant Adviser)
Phone #: 256-549-8200 (For general inquiries)

• Two semesters of 25 credit hours
  


• 
  Program covers: Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy and Medical Unit Clerk
  


• Only 10 student allowed per semester


• Cost of tuition + fees

J. F. Drake State Technical College
3421 Meridian St N

Huntsville, AL 35811

Phone #: 256.551.3156 (For nursing secretary)

Phone #: (256) 539-8161 (For general inquiries)

Fax #: (256) 551-1704

• 10 day program 8 hours a day
  


• 
  Cost $445

Reid State Technical College
I65 and Hwy 83
Evergreen, AL 36401

Phone #: 251-578-1313, extension 124

• Estimated cost: $2500


• One semester

Shelton State Community College
The Martin Campus
9500 Old Greensboro Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
C.A. Fredd Campus
3401 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd,
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone #: (205) 391-2457
Office: 3613 Martin Campus

• thirteen (13) credit hour program per semester
  


• 
  Total Cost $ 1,908

Ask an elderly Veteran if they are aware they may be eligible for a pension from the Veteran's Administration and they will tell you "I'm not eligible because I was not injured in the War." This is a common misconception which keeps many Veterans from tapping into a benefit they well earned by serving our country. The fact is elderly, disabled Veterans and their widows may very well qualify for large sums of money, but they have to apply for the funds. There are several Veteran pensions, but the pension designed to help elderly Veterans and Veteran's Widows pay for costly Home Health Care, Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home fees (if the Veteran is not covered by Medicaid) is called Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance. The pension can pay a married Veteran up to $1,949.00 per month, an unmarried Veteran up to $1,644.00 per month and a Veteran's Widow can receive up to $1,056.00 per month. The amount one receives is based upon their medical expenses and their current financial and medical status. The pension is paid by check directly to the Veteran or Veteran's Widow every month as long as they meet the criteria.

The Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance is the government's best kept secret. I cannot tell you how many seniors have told me that they called Veterans Affairs and were actually told that this pension does not exist or that they do not qualify. For thirteen years, I have assisted Veterans and Veteran's Widows in obtaining these funds - they really do exist.

To get the maximum pension amount, a Veteran must qualify medically and financially and must have served their country for at least one day during "War Time". Also the Veteran must have been honorably discharged. Every case is considered individually. If a Veteran or Veteran's Widow feels they may qualify, they can apply for the pension. The pension can take many months to actually be approved. The average waiting period is three to eight months. The first check will be retroactive to the month the application arrived at the Veterans' Affairs, therefore the first check may be for thousands of dollars. Subsequent checks will arrive monthly for the approved amount. This pension money can mean the difference between affording adequate care for an aging Veteran/ Widow or having no care at all.

As with any governmental program, success is all in the paperwork. The pension application is many pages long and some of it is in essay form. It is the exact wording used in the essay areas that mean the difference between approval and denial. Also, Veteran's Affairs does not tell Veterans about all the supporting documents that they would like to see. The better the medical and financial records, the better the chances are of approval. Including the right medical forms signed by a doctor is very important for approval. Also typical of governmental red tape is the frustrating lack of communication. Once the application is filed and in the process of being reviewed, it is nearly impossible to get an update or check on the status of the application unless the Veteran/ Widow make the call themselves. For most of our clients, they are too ill or too confused to make a call like that.

In a perfect world, financial assistance for those who qualify should be easily accessible and easy to get. But the reality is that government agencies are inherently complicated and their application processes are never self explanatory or simple. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse and no one will tell you the rules. The rules are written in a handbook, but the Veterans Affairs is not allowed to give them to you. Seasoned Eldercare professionals can often navigate these processes for you. They may charge for their services, but to attempt to do it yourself and have your application denied, will cost much more money. The Department of Veterans' Affairs supposedly employs staff to help Veterans and their Widows apply for these pensions for free, but it is these very people who have told so many seniors that they do not qualify, when in fact they could qualify if they made one small change. Perhaps Veteran's Affairs is afraid that if they made it easy for every Veteran to apply, the pension fund would go broke. Given that War Time includes the Gulf War Era which began in 1990 and has not ended yet, I anticipate the pension fund will one day be either broke or impossible to get. For now, the money is very much available and attainable.

Here are the Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance eligibility criteria for the year 2008.

1) Veteran served in the Military for at least one day during War Time or had a spouse who served at that time. Spouses are people whom you never divorced.
2) Honorably Discharged from the Military.
3) Currently has medical or psychological condition which make the Veteran or Veteran widow dependent on the aid or assistance of a non- family member in order to meet their daily care needs or they reside in an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home ( not on Medicaid). This claim must be supported by physician signed forms, financial data and medical records.
4) Veteran Financial Criteria: Have assets in their own name below $80,000 (if married) or below $50,000 (if single). The car and house does not count as an asset. Annual income below $19,736,.00 (if single) or $ 23,396.00 (if married) after all medical expenses such as insurance premiums/copays, assisted living facility fees, paid caregiver salary, medications, medical transportation/ supplies, certain housing expenses, etc.
5) Veteran Widow Financial Criteria: Assets below $50,000 and income less than $12,681 per year (after medical expenses listed above).
6) Note: Income figures are AFTER MEDICAL EXPENSES. VA may require someone of advanced age to have fewer assets than quoted above. We have seen this when applicants are near 100 years old.

In many cases, if a person has a paid care giver, such as a nurse's aide, or they pay an assisted living facility, or they pay out of pocket for a nursing home, those expenses impact so greatly on a person's net income, that they will meet the criteria for the income level.

If a Veteran or Veteran Widow has cash assets above the limit, they are allowed to place those assets into certain investments in order to have them "sheltered". This sheltering does not have a penalty or "look back period" associated with it. Proper asset sheltering for Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance should be done under the supervision of an elder care professional or attorney well versed in Medicaid planning because one could easily ruin the chances of ever getting Medicaid if the V.A. pension planning was done incorrectly.

With a little professional planning, many Veterans and Veteran Widows can receive pensions that make a significant difference in the amount of care they receive. After all, the reason for this particular pension is to assure that a Veteran or Veteran Widow does not live in a substandard environment in their old age. It takes a little work to apply for this pension, but anything worth having usually does.

In Florida, I've recently heard of three nursing homes in the area that had scabies cases. A client of mine at the mental health clinic told me that she couldn't get elimite at the local pharmacy as it had sold out. Her child had picked it up at the local child care center from another student. I spoke to a nurse at the mental health clinic where I work and she said that she feels itchy when leaving the assisted living facility she works at one time a week but she's never contracted scabies.

Scabies are very tiny mites so they can't be seen by the naked eye. They can be spread by skin contact such as holding hands and sexual relations, as well as by sharing clothing or bedding. Kids play very close to each other and get into wrestling and close contact looking at baseball cards, cell phone pictures and coloring together. At nursing homes people sit next to each other watching tv, hug each other for support and sometimes share clothing with their roommates. Sharing head phones can spread it as well and kids tend to do this with ipods often.

With scabies you may first itch before you notice the rash. Common spots are the arm pits, webs of fingers, wrists, stomach area and buttocks. Kids can get scabies on their faces but adults generally don't. You may also see the little burrow lines that are white, grey or red where the female egg zig zags under your skin to lay the eggs. These are difficult to see due to their thinness.

Permethrin cream is applied to the skin and left on over night to kill the scabies. At the same time, a thorough wash is needed in very hot water for the clothing and bedding. After 24 hours kids can go back to school, but be aware that if other kids are carrying scabies or untreated, one can get re-infected. This is one reason why they foud that a nursing home kept having residents re-infected. People weren't treated that had scabies and when they were, they didn't apply the cream under the nails. This is an important area that gets forgotten. When people scratch themselves , they can easiy spread what's under their finger nails to others. Scabies is not difficult to treat, but it needs to be done properly and with attention to detail.

Adult day care centers are a preferred alternative to nursing home or institutional care, providing activities, opportunities for socialization, convenience, and independence all while providing expert health care dedicated to helping clients improve daily functioning or delay worsening of conditions. There are many reasons to consider adult day care, including the following benefits.

1. Prolonged Independence and Improved Daily Functioning

Medical adult day care centers promote their clients' ability to remain independent by supplementing the assistance they receive from family caregivers with a program of health care services and activities custom-tailored to each individual's needs and interests.

By taking part in these activities, clients receive cognitive and physical stimulation that helps to enhance well-being while delaying or preventing a decline in health that would ultimately lead to placement in an assisted living facility or nursing home. In addition, many offer on-site specialists to provide physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. These therapists work with clients to improve daily functioning by developing strength, range of motion, balance and cognitive abilities.

2. Nutrition and Medication Management is a Priority

Ensuring that clients receive proper nutrition and medication each day in the absence of their family caregivers is an important factor in fulfilling the commitment of helping clients maintain the best possible quality of life and well-being.

Caregivers can be assured that nutrition is a top priority. Adult day care centers provide appetizing, wholesome meals and snacks that are approved by a dietician. Meals served at centers typically include provisions for diabetics, vegetarians, sodium-restricted or low-cholesterol diets and other special dietary needs.

Additionally, the staff can administer medications and injections as prescribed, monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment and relaying this information to the client's physician, caregivers and case manager.

3. A Cost-Effective Alternative to Nursing Homes or Institutions

Adult day care centers offer the most cost-effective long-term care option. While costs differ based on care level and geographic region, nationwide averages show that the annual costs for medical adult day care services are significantly less than those for other long-term care options.

In many cases, services may be paid in part or in full by Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, or private long-term care insurance, although coverage varies by state and policy. Additionally, out-of-pocket expenditures may qualify as a tax-deductible medical expense.

4. The Convenience of Door-to-Door Transportation

Some adult day care centers provide flexible, door-to-door transportation for their clients within a convenient radius of the center.

In addition to transportation to and from centers, many also escort their clients to medical appointments when needed. This service is particularly helpful for caregivers who maintain full- or part-time employment outside the home, as it decreases disruption of and distraction from their work day.

5. Effective Management of Chronic Conditions

When clients come to an adult day care center, they typically receive a customized care plan that incorporates cognitive and physical activities as appropriate in order to help them remain active and intellectually stimulated throughout the day while maintaining or improving their present level of independence and functioning.

Adult day care centers typically staff skilled RNs, LPNs, personal care assistants, activities staff, and therapists who play an important role in helping their clients address the challenges of chronic conditions. The staff is able to help by assisting with daily personal care and hygiene, nutrition and medication management, blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, tracheotomy care and tube feeding, and offering on-site physical, speech and occupational therapy. Additionally, many centers will work with families in the implementation of these health management and therapeutic techniques, so they can take an active role in the client's care and treatment at home.

Adult day care centers provide many benefits for both caregivers and their loved ones. The convenience, health assurance, socialization, and cost all contribute to the many reasons that adult day care is becoming a preferred choice for caregivers. The decision for what type if care is best for your loved one can be difficult. Before making the decision, consider if adult day care may be the right choice for these reasons, and many more.

If you're approaching retirement age, you might be wondering about the difference between the types of housing options for seniors. From continuing care to 55+ communities, there are a number of options to help seniors, no matter what they're looking for. Living in one of these places can provide seniors with a variety of activities to keep them busy, but how do you know which is right for you?

55+ Communities

These are specially planned areas with seniors in mind. They're typically in warmer weather climates and offer amenities like fitness centers with pools, spas, tennis courts, bocce courts, golf courses, meeting rooms, ball rooms, arts and crafts centers, dancing lessons, on-site restaurants and more. Residents can choose to live in their own home or apartment and many offer gated security that's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although these 55+ communities are for people as they live out their retirement years, they are not retirement homes. They do not have nursing staff or other medical personnel on site and are not intended for residents with serious medical conditions that require constant care.

55+ communities have age requirements that must be met before residents can move in. Consideration is made if one member of a couple is over 55, however many have restrictions on the length of time guests under 55 can stay in the community. This sometimes mean that other family members need to stay in a hotel for an extended visit, so check on these restrictions before buying a home if you expect to have long-term out of town guests.

Some 55+ communities that offer active living lifestyles offer special weekend getaways for people who are thinking of moving to the area. If you're interested in trying out the active living lifestyle before committing yourself to buying a home and moving in full-time, consider one of these weekends. This will let you try out a number of 55+ communities to make sure you've found the one that's right for you.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide round the clock care to residents. They're ideal for people who need continuous care like physical, occupational or other therapies. Nurses and other staff will help residents bathe, get dressed, eat and more. Once someone goes to live in a nursing home, they often stay there for the rest of their life, although some residents can be rehabilitated to the point where they no longer require long-term professional care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

A continuing care retirement community blends aspects of active living with the care available at a nursing home. They're the ideal situation for seniors who require daily assistance, yet do not need the constant, round the clock care of a nursing home. Seniors can live independently, yet move into assisted living as it's necessary. These typically don't offer as many amenities as 55+ communities.

Choosing where to live after retirement can be a big decision. Many seniors have active living lifestyles before retirement, and want to continue this lifestyle afterwards. Knowing the difference between these types of housing options can help you make a knowledgeable decision on the one that best fits your needs.

Close to 1,000 people a year are recovering from ME and other similar debilitating conditions after taking a 3 day training program in North London.

It's not unusual for residents of Weston Park, Crouch End, to see someone wheeled down the quiet street in a wheelchair, and two days later see the very same person walking with ease down the road unaided.
The Phil Parker Lightning ProcessTM is a training program which is producing amazing results where other 'treatments' for debilitating conditions, such as ME, have failed.

Devised by Phil Parker, Osteopath, personal development coach and author, the Lightning Process is helping thousands of people considered 'lost causes', by the medical profession, resolve chronic back pain, headaches, migraines, digestive problems depression, anxiety, panic attacks and ME.

Esther Rantzen's daughter resolved her well publicized battle with ME after a three day trip to visit Phil Parker. Ex-England Rugby player Austin Healey has spoken of the joy he felt after his wife resolved five years of her debilitating fight with the illness which literally lays sufferers' lives to waste. Austin Healey says: 'We'd been searching for five years to find a cure for my wife Louise's ME. We found the Lightning Process delivered that cure. Louise is now completely recovered and our future is brilliant again. Having seen the Lightning Process in action, I'm convinced it is the most powerful way to make rapid and lasting changes in any area of your life'.

ME currently affects 250,000 people in the UK and it is generally understood by the Medical profession that there is no cure. Over 1,000 clients a year can attest that this is not the case. In fact, the Lightning Process has been so effective, a large number of former ME sufferers (helped by LP) have since retrained as practitioners and now teach the Lightning Process throughout the UK.

These 25 people all recovered from ME using the Phil Parker Lightning Process. Their combined number of years of illness was 330.

The Lightning Process was devised by Phil Parker and combines concepts from NLP, Hypnotherapy, Life Coaching and Osteopathy. Parker says: 'The Phil Parker Lightning Process is the result of my research over the last decade into why, when problems occur in people's lives, some of them hit a wall and get stuck and others seem to be able to deal with the difficulties in a different way and move forward.'

Parker developed the innovative Lightning Process and has gone on to help thousands of sufferers, including Vikki who was housebound for many years. (see Vikki's former life-story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/content/articles/2007/05/08/features_me_vikki_feature.shtml ) Vikki is now well and has just returned from her first holiday abroad in 18 years.

How can a self-development coach help 1,000's who've been failed by the medical profession?.

The story of the creation of the Lightning Process began with failure. Parker says: 'I had studied with some of the best personal development trainers in the world, read the most cutting edge books, become a highly respected authority in the world of change, and yet there were still some clients, who I felt I should be able to help because of my advanced skills and depth of experience but for whom nothing seemed to work.'

Many of these were ME patients and I began to dread treating them. It's frustrating as a practitioner to fail your patients. And for me, taking them on and not providing results was a failure.'

Parker took his worries to other professionals, and he says: 'This didn't surprise them, dozens of other professionals had tried and failed- they had become resigned to ME sufferers being a hopeless case. This in many cases also extended to patients suffering problems such as low self esteem, self-doubt and even self-hatred, anxiety and depression'.

Parker knew that while he could help many people resolve their issues, there was a hard-core element that weren't able to resolve theirs. Parker says: 'I kept wondering, "What was the difference?" and if we could identify this difference, could we retrain those people "stuck" in their own personal hell, to get unstuck.'

Understanding the mind/body link

The research undertaken by Phil Parker looked at how the brain and body become trapped in a number of damaging unconscious responses, which blight health and stunt lives. Using a powerful combination of techniques uniquely developed using the philosophies and research of NLP, osteopathy, self hypnosis and life coaching, Parker began to achieve amazing results with clients by training them to successfully replace old unhelpful responses and start to regain their health, their sense of self and their future.

How does it work?

Using the LP's technique of combining particular body movements and postures with a set of precisely targeted questions many people have got their health back into balance, quickly and successfully recovering from real illnesses that had troubled them for years.

The Process is specifically tailored to an individual's needs and abilities, and the trainee is supported and assisted by an experienced trainer throughout the seminar and afterwards as required.
The 3 day training program teaches, step by step, how to influence key body systems such as the immunological, neurological and muscular skeletal system.

Is it Positive Thinking? No, unfortunately Positive Thinking on its own is unlikely to make you recover from ME.

Powers of attorney for healthcare decision making are a valuable tool to ensure that your medical wishes are carried out if you become incapacitated and unable to express your desires. However, these powers can be abused and cost you dearly - in terms of your personal well-being and even your finances.

Here's a real life story to illustrate:

Dad is 80 years old and suffers from dementia. While mentally incapacitated, his son manipulates Dad into signing powers of attorney for both finances and for healthcare.

Dad has enough money in various investments and bank accounts to pay for in-home caregiving services. These services are very expensive, but he, like most elderly individuals, would prefer to remain at home in a familiar and comfortable environment. If Dad was mentally capable of deciding where he would live and whether his savings should be used for his care, then he certainly would choose to remain at home.

Unfortunately, his son has different ideas. He views Dad as a cash cow, and sees no reason why Dad's money should be used for in-home care and deplete son's inheritance.

Therefore, son uses the power of attorney for healthcare (referred to as an Advance Health Care Directive in California) to have Dad permanently placed in a nursing home. Son also speaks with the nursing staff, and convinces them that Dad's other children intend to harm him, and that no one is to have any access or communication with Dad, unless son authorizes it.

Isolation is a key element in elder financial abuse. In order for son to carry out his plan, he must make sure that all outside contact with Dad is halted; otherwise, a family member or friend could visit Dad, ask questions of the nursing staff, and uncover son's devious plot of exploitation.

Now that Dad has been warehoused in a nursing home (via the healthcare power of attorney), son has free rein to use the financial power of attorney to access all of Dad's monies. Son can close accounts, open new accounts in son's name only, and transfer all of Dad's monies. Soon, Dad is broke and the nursing home bills will be paid for by the state.

Sounds incredible, but this is a true story. Fortunately, some help is available, but it requires someone to recognize that abuse is taking place and then step up to the plate and intervene.

In California, for example, nursing home personnel are mandated reporters. This means that the law requires that they report, to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services, any reasonable suspicion that elder abuse is occurring. The tip can be anonymous. Adult Protective Services would then interview Dad, the nursing staff, and son, and determine whether abuse is taking place and whether the matter needs to be referred to law enforcement.

An elder law attorney can also assist with civil litigation to freeze Dad's accounts, recover the monies wrongfully taken, and return Dad to his home with in-home health care assistance; provided, however, that son has not already spent most of Dad's money.

While a power of attorney for healthcare is an important tool, it can also be abused if placed into the hands of an unscrupulous person.

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.

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.

Certified nursing assistants (CNA) work in healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities for disabled individuals. These front-liners in the healthcare industry perform a wide variety of roles and responsibilities including but not limited to taking vital signs, assisting in personal hygiene needs, and transferring patients from one place to the next within the facility. Of course, these competent individuals should have completed their CNA training programs and passed their CNA certification exams.

The profession is one of the fastest-growing in the healthcare industry for several reasons. As the population ages, more and more individuals require short-term and long-term medical care in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. This is where certified nursing assistants come in. Add in the good salaries and benefits packages available for certified nursing aides and you, too, will be interested in it as a career.

Range of Salaries

And speaking of salary, exactly how much does an employed nursing aide earn in a year? Like with all professions, the answer depends on several factors including experience of the individual on one hand as well as type of facility and geographical location on the other hand. Even in the same establishment or in the same city, the salary for two certified nursing aides of similar work experience will be different.

For example, your lower salary reflects your employment status as an entry-level staff while the salaries of your senior colleagues reflect their seniority in the organization. It may also be that your higher salary in a nursing home in comparison with another nursing aide in a hospital boils down to the size of these establishments.

Experience as a Determinant

In general, however, certified nursing aides earn according to their level of experience and employment status. As you gain more experience, you are more likely to enjoy higher salaries. It also helps to put the lessons you have learned during CNA training to good use as an employee.

On average, nursing aides with less than a year of experience can earn $20,000-$31,000 annual salary while those with up to four years of experience will enjoy $22,000-$32,000 per year in basic salaries. Nursing assistants with more than 5 years of experience can earn $25,000 to $34,000 a year, aside from the perks of the job like bonuses. Of course, the CNA certification of these front-liners must be valid and updated for employers to keep them on the job. So, you had better take note of this fact of life.

Other determinants in the salary of certified nursing aides are:

• Type of facility - Those who work in veterans' hospitals, private homes and private offices tend to earn more ($24,000-$38,000) than those who work in nursing homes ($18,500-$30,000) and hospitals ($20,000-$32,000).

• Location - Those who work in metropolitan areas are more likely to earn more than their rural-based counterparts.

Yes, the money is good, indeed!

For those who have a family member or close friend with a chronic mental illness, life can be filled with challenges. Chronic mental illness takes its toll on families, who often don't have the training or emotional resources to adequately care for their loved ones. It's difficult to navigate the waters of the legal and mental health care systems, and doubly difficult to find a good home for a loved one with a mental illness who can't live on his or her own. Despite a family's dedication and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure that their mother, father, brother, or sister receives the care he or she needs, it's not always clear what housing and care options are available or suitable. Here, then, is a review of six of the most common types of housing and care available for those with a chronic mental illness.

Nursing Homes: Because those who are mentally ill sometimes are in need of long-term medical care, there are times when a nursing home might be necessary or appropriate. However, many nursing homes aren't equipped to adequately address mental health care issues. When selecting a nursing home for a loved one, ensure that it specializes in serving those with chronic mental illness.

Residential Care Facilities: Most people with chronic mental illness receive the appropriate level of care in residential care facilities. Typically, they provide 24-hour staffing, room and board, and assistance with medications and scheduling mental health care appointments. These kinds of facilities are generally not locked.

Adult Care Facilities: Adult care facilities are more family oriented than residential care facilities, but generally provide the same level of care. They are more appropriate for those whose conditions are stable. Adult care facilities are not locked, and some do not provide 24-hour staffing. Family Care Homes: The family care home setting is more of a typical home in that it serves a much smaller number of residents and is not generally staffed 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, many subsidies for those will chronic mental illness will cover this level of care, even though the individuals may need the services of an adult care or residential care facility.

Assisted Living Units: An assisted living unit, as its name implies, is most appropriate for those people who are high functioning and stable. With assisted living, there is minimal staff supervision and residents typically live in apartments and receive services like meals, laundry, and medication supervision. Assisted living can also be a bridge to independent living, in that if someone successfully participates in assisted living for a year, he or she may be able to transition to a traditional apartment. Psychiatric Units: Psychiatric units are either based in or affiliated with hospitals. One type of psychiatric unit specializes in short-term acute care, most often when a person is a danger to himself or herself, or others. The goal in this situation is to stabilize the individual and transfer him or her to another kind of facility. The other type of psychiatric unit is one that is affiliated with a state hospital, and is often a locked facility for those needing longer-term care.

According to the American Geriatrics Society, the number of individuals that are admitted into nursing homes has risen since 1994. Many of these individuals are admitted to care facilities as soon as they are discharged from a hospital or after a sudden illness. Many factors contributing to this increase include age, low income, and poor family support. However, the occupancy rate in these homes has dropped to less than 90 percent. Many attribute this finding due to an increased amount of assisted care facilities.

Facts about Nursing Homes

Many people are unaware of how much nursing homes have populated across the U.S. In an article by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, currently, there are over 16,000 in the U.S. This accounts to approximately 1.7 million beds with 1.5 million residents currently residing homes. On average, residents are spending an average of 835 days in nursing homes.

What to do when Choosing the Right Home for Your Loved Ones

Selecting the right nursing home requires proper research and knowing what to expect. You can also research nursing homes across the U.S. by checking the database at medicare.gov. This page helps you find facilities by name, county, state, city or zip code and allows you to compare, check inspection reports and research staff data. The American Association of Retired People offers a list of actions to do prior to admitting relatives into a care facility. These steps can help ensure a less stressful decision for family members.

1. Make a checklist on what type of activities, programs, location and other facts pertaining to the proper home that can comfortably accommodate the relative's needs.

2. Research information about specific elder facilities.

3. Visit the homes you are interested in and make sure to double check the inspection reports.

4. Check references from other residents relatives and friends.

5. Enlist the services of a professional litigation, such as a medical doctor, to research if the facility was subject to any lawsuits.

6. Consider consulting experts who can easily find the right facility for your loved one.

Certified Nursing Assistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, extended-stay and private residences helping patients with everyday tasks. The majority of a CNA's job description involves personal care duties such as bathing, dressing, maintaining sleeping quarters and assistance during mealtime. Depending on where you decide to work your job duties can vary slightly. Being a CNA is not an easy job. You have to be attentive to your patients' needs and comfort them when they are feeling down and out. A lot of people become Certified Nursing Assistants not knowing what they are getting themselves into and do not last long.

Along with the job duties listed above, there are some other duties as well. They can include:

• Helping patients change bed covers


• Providing showers


• Changing clothes


• Administer medication at certain intervals


• Assisting patients with exercises


• Help patients use the toilet

CNA's will also help monitor a patient's well-being. This can include checking vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, heartbeat, blood sugar and respiration rate. Certified nursing assistants can also measure a patients output from urine, blood and stool. Some of you may be thinking that this isn't the job for me. Well think again, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant can be very rewarding jobs for those who enjoy helping make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than yourself.

Another big responsibility of CNA's will be dealing with the relatives of your patients. This can include making/taking phone calls, explaining procedures in person and sometimes assisting the family with unexpected needs. This aspect of a CNA's job is very important because relatives will have a lot of questions and be on edge most of the time. Proper terms and techniques will be taught during your CNA training.

A CNA's job description will vary depending on the type of facility that they work in. For those of us who will work in hospitals will do more medical procedures. Those who work in nursing homes will have more job duties related to patient's day to day needs.

Quotes from retired CNA's:

• "As soon as I would get to work, even if I was having a bad day, I would be so happy to be where I was"


• "Becoming a CNA was one of the best decisions of my life. It has allowed me to show the world the compassionate person I am. Seeing the smiles on my patients faces makes every day go a lot smoother... "


• "I feel bad for people who work jobs they do not have a passion for."

Zen can be a difficult concept to understand. Translated by many as meaning "meditation" or "a state of mind", Zen can be perceived as a new understanding on how to live one's life. Demanding persistence, patience and discipline, living a life of Zen everyday is not an easy process but can ultimately prove to be extremely meaningful and worthwhile.

Zen is not a religion. Zen does not tell you what to do. Zen is an approach that has been refined through many years that can be practiced everyday by anyone. The main aim of Zen is to develop self-awareness and an understanding of everything around you. Through the course of one's life, people are conditioned into believing things without thinking about them too deeply. Zen encourages you to release lifelong conditioning and preconceptions and enables you to find a deeper understanding of yourself and reality. Zen frees your mind to live a life of heightened awareness which in turn enriches and improves your daily life experiences.

Achieving complete Zen is known as the process of enlightenment. As mentioned above, it is the process of discovering a new viewpoint on life and discovering ones inner truth. Discovering this complete inner truth comes from persistent practice and getting to know the true you. This can be achieved through daily meditation as well as through trying to live a life of deep respect and compassion for all things around you.

Zen meditation is one of the techniques that have assisted many in the Zen path. Setting time aside daily to meditate aids in allowing one to focus and receive clarity on the world and oneself. This clarity comes with practice and patience and there are numerous meditation techniques that can be used to assist you in this process. It has been mentioned countless times by many how the way one sees the world is often very similar to how one sees oneself.

Consequently, Zen living is to live a life with respect for all living things and can be utilized in every aspect of one's life. Zen deals with the present and things that have practical relevance in one's life and ignores concepts of things that do not have an effect on ones daily experiences. Zen encourages one to live for the moment and to look at things in different ways in order to make them take on more meaning and in turn provide greater enjoyment.

Practiced for thousands of years and an approach that is available to everyone. Zen can either be practiced daily or its ideas can be incorporated into one's lifestyle, to assist in encouraging a more fulfilled and pleasure filled life.

The emotional state of a person is an important part of their overall health. If a person does not feel supported or emotionally cared for, their physical health can suffer as well. A large part of that emotional support or abuse can come through verbal affirmation or abuse. Verbal abuse is a very real part of emotional abuse no matter the age of a person.

When a family makes a decision that a nursing home is the best environment for their family member, they do so expecting their loved one to get the physical care and emotional care that they need. If there is negligence in providing either of these forms of care, a person may suffer in this environment. Caretakers should be diligent in providing the necessary care for their patients without threatening or belittling them in any way.

Verbal abuse can consist of a caretaker raising their voice or yelling at any of their residents. This may be done in an attempt to frighten or coerce a person to do something they do not feel comfortable doing. Verbal abuse can also consist of taunting or calling names. Taunting can occur in a number of different forms and can include sexual humiliation as well as public humiliation. These forms of abuse are detrimental to the health of a patient and can be a contributing factor in depression or other emotional conditions. Also, using degrading or derogatory language towards a resident can be considered emotional abuse. Such inexcusable treatment should never be tolerated, and nursing home workers who are responsible for committing these atrocious acts should be held accountable.

If your loved one has suffered emotional abuse linked to verbal abuse, please visit the website of the San Antonio nursing home abuse lawyers at Mayo Injury Lawyers.