What To Look For In A Home Health Care Provider
Anyone in need of home health care deserves non-medical care or in home medical care that is compassionate whether the patient is a child, adult or elder. Home health care services are provided anywhere except for in nursing homes or a hospital. These services may even be provided at an assisted living facility, a school, apartment or house.
As far as care plans go, there are a wide variety of personal care and nursing services that are not just available, they are tailored for the needs of each individual recipient. Customized care plans and follow up assessments should be provided by a registered nurse.
Nursing Supervision and Case Management
The care that is provided by personal care assistants and home health aides is typically supervised by a registered nurse. One of these registered nurses should be on call at all times in order to assist the caregivers as well as to provide medical training and oversight and to implement the plans of care.
Elder or Adult Care
Are you aware of the fact that 75% of the health care costs in the us are incurred by only 12% of Americans? These people generally have some type of chronic illness. The benefits of this type of individualized home care include much more than just being able to keep someone at home for their illness as opposed to being institutionalized or put in a long term care facility. As far as cost goes, home care visits are roughly only 10% of what a single day in the hospital will cost.
Additionally, home health care has a track record that has been proven when it comes to things such as reducing readmissions to the hospital, expensive visits to the emergency room and in managing chronic illnesses. In addition, there is scientific evidence that has proven that patients are able to heal faster when they are in their own homes. Both morbidity and mortality rates are reduced in patients who take advantage of home health care. In fact, 90% of seniors facing long term care in nursing homes prefer to stay home and get the services of a home health care provider.
Private Elder Care Coordination, Planning and Management
This involves both advising and then assisting families when it comes to determining the necessities of an aging adult. These caregivers are able to navigate many of the long term type of care resources that …
The Health Benefits of Deep Breathing
Most Americans today are unhealthy for one simple reason. They do not breathe properly. Improper breathing can bring on everything from anxiety and panic attacks to being unable to get rid of the carbon dioxide that builds up in our body. We literally starve ourselves of the oxygen we need to survive.
Our society has developed a very sedentary lifestyle, whether it be from working at our computers or playing video games on television. We simply do not get the exercise that we need, and as a result our bodies are not getting enough oxygen. To give you a more graphic picture, it is as if we are smothering ourselves, but instead of death coming in a short time, we are prolonging the process.
The limiting of oxygen to our bodies causes our lungs to function improperly, which can cause us to be susceptible to any number of diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. It is vital to our health that we learn how to breath properly. Fortunately, there are several exercises that can be done to improve our breathing techniques.
The best advice is to start with basics. Learn the proper breathing techniques. When you are breathing correctly you will notice your stomach moving more than your chest. Also start taking in a little more oxygen each time, until you are beathing in long, slow breathes rather than short, shallow breathes. You will begin to find your mood improving and you will have more energy.
There are several websites which are dedicated to the process of healthy breathing. The most important thing is to do it. Many people have intended to start exercising, but their body breaks down before they actually get it done. If you want to save your life, start breathing.…
Schwinn 460 Elliptical Trainer Review
The Schwinn 460 elliptical trainer is designed to provide you with a lower-body workout. You can also easily adjust the stride length to suit your needs. You can find this model for an average price of $1000. Keep reading to learn about some of its features.
Stride
According to the elliptical machine reviews one of the best features of the Schwinn 460 is its V-Stride technology. You can change the stride length of the machine easily. The unit also has both fixed and moving handlebars.
Foot Plates
The Schwinn 460 elliptical trainer is equipped with articulating foot plates. This helps minimize the impact on your heels. The foot plates are also independent of each other. Therefore, you can target muscles on both sides of your body.
Resistance
The Schwinn 460 is fitted with a 25-pound steel flywheel and a computer-controlled drive system. The magnetic resistance system is designed for quiet operation. You can choose between 16 different resistance levels.
Console
The Schwinn 460 elliptical trainer has a touchscreen console. This back-lit console displays various information such as time, interval time, distance, pulse, and calories. It also shows your speed and resistance level.
Programs
The Schwinn 460 offers 16 different workout programs. There is a manual program and 11 workout profiles. The trainer also has two custom programs that tracks results and programs for two different users.
Transport
Another nice feature of the Schwinn 460 elliptical trainer is how easy it is to transport. It is fitted with non-skid wheels so that you can roll it along easily. There is also a handle to make transport a bit easier.
Extras
The Schwinn 460 provides an assortment of comfort features. It has an large bottle holder that can fit bottles with a four inch diameter. The trainer is also equipped with an adjustable cooling fan.
The Schwinn 460 elliptical trainer allows you to change its stride length easily. There are also 16 different workout programs and resistance levels. You will also like the comfort features such as the bottle holder and adjustable cooling fan. The machine is also easy to transport thanks to the non-skid wheels and handle it has.…
Velvet Disease in Fish: 5 Facts You Must Know
Fact 1: Velvet Disease in fish has been identified using other aliases. This disease is also called Rust, Gold Dust Disease, Oödinium. It is common in aquarium fish and some saltwater fish. Sea bass and Betta are some species known to be affected by Velvet Disease frequently. Velvet Disease appears as tiny white spots on fish. These spots are fine and give the host fish a slimy appearance.
Fact 2: Velvet Disease in fish is highly contagious. Oödinium is a small parasite like organism that causes Velvet Disease. Classifications are mixed as it related to this parasite. Some people refer to Oödinium as protozoan while others suggest it as algae. This parasite can live in the water without feeding on a fish for up to 24 hours. After this amount of time, the Velvet finds a new host fish. Stressed fish are susceptible to Velvet disease. This disease is known to occur in crowded environments or an atmosphere where there are poor water conditions like ponds. Aquariums that do not have quality water may allow Velvet disease to flourish.
Fact 3: Velvet Disease is deadly among affected fish. The parasite attacks skin cells and gills on a fish and feeds on nutrients from them. Velvet destroys a lot of the tissue on a fish during its feeding cycle. Velvet Disease in fish may not be easy to detect until it has advanced in stages and become fatal. Fish that have severe skin infections may not respond to treatment. Putting a bright light up to the fish to examine its skin or dropping it in fresh water may help to detect Velvet. Using the fresh water method, the organisms will fall to the bottom of the water.
Fact 4: There are various symptoms of Velvet Disease in fish. One common symptom is a tired looking fish that does not have much of an appetite. The infected fish may also suffer from weight loss and have trouble breathing. Fish may also scratch itself on hard surfaces around the aquarium. Other symptoms included clamped fins and a fine yellow, dusty or gold film on the fish’s skin. Velvet Disease may also cause the skin to peel off of the infected fish.
Fact 5: A product called Acriflavine is known to treat Velvet disease in fish. Acriflavine is a dye that stains the skin. You could also treat Velvet disease with copper. Using too …
Healthy and Delicious Smoothie Recipes for Kids
There is no better way to get you and your children started off to a great day than ensuring a nutritional breakfast. When I was a child, I woke up many a school day to the sound of the blender. That always meant my mother was downstairs whipping up another delicious smoothie concoction for us before school. Smoothies taste great, they are an easy and quick addition to breakfast, and are even fantastic on their own for those busy parents and for kids who simply do not have much of an appetite in the wee hours of the morning.*
Most children will love smoothies because they are like a treat but you can rest assured knowing that these smoothies are a great way for you and your family to get those reccommended daily servingsof fruit and many other vitamins and nutrients necessary for healthy bodies and minds. All you need make these tasty delights is the ingredients, a blender, and under five minutes of time!
(Notes: 1.Ingredient amounts are mostly approximations as recipes are flexible and can be easily adjusted for the desired amount of servings, 2. Dairy ingredients in these recipes can be substituted with soy, rice, or other alternative milk, 3. Once you have a basis for making smoothies, there is no limit to the combinations of different ingredients you can create! )
Banana-Berry Blast
Ice (Approximately 2 handfuls)
1 cup of plain yogurt
2 whole bananas, each cut in half for easier blending
1 cup of blackberries (Fresh or frozen, frozen berries are great because they last longer, blend well, cost less per volume, and are easy to find in your grocery store’s frozen section)
1 cup of blueberres (Fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup of milk
Toss all items in the blender in this order and blend away until smooth!
Orange Creamsicle
Ice
1 cup of vanilla or plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups of orange juice
Dash of lemon Juice (optional)
Blend and enjoy!
Brytt’s Favorite Smoothie Combo
Ice
1 cup of blueberries
1 banana
Two kiwi fruits, peeled and halved
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1 mango (see my related short article on the best way to slice a mango!)
1/2 cup milk
*Smoothies can be enjoyed at any time of the day!…
Living a Health Hazard Free Freegan Lifestyle-You Don't Have to Go Dumpster Diving
250 million tons of garbage is generated in the US alone every year. Most of the garbage comes from households and it is mostly good food or commodities that are still in good or recyclable condition. Isn't it ironic that on one end of the world we have food products overflowing the supermarket shelves, these are western countries, while in continents like Africa, Asia and South America we have people dying of hunger or lack of shelter.
Freegans are anti-consumerists. The freeganism is against society's wastage of resources. A freegan's lifestyle is almost similar to a vegetarian's, but the freegan is more on the extreme. Not only are they against animal torture or chemical testing on animals, but also they are activists against society's greed. Their main goal is to spend as little as they possibly can and only use or have what they really need. Freegans fulfill their goals by recycling, sharing what they already have, and gardening. The most controversial issue about freeganism, is the recycling process which many people call dumpster diving. It is a taboo in our current society for people to go about searching other peoples' trash, let alone scavenging for food leftovers.
While it is a good thing that we live in America and are free to lead any kind of lifestyle we want as long as we don't hurt anyone, a freegan's lifestyle threatens his or her own life. Even though most of them say they haven't had any medical issues related to consumption of dumpster food, it is still not safe for us to scavenge for food from other peoples' trash. I mean, the food could have all sorts of chemicals or bacteria especially after it stays in a dirty trash bag for some time. This is like knowingly consuming poison. I know there are so many people who would love to recycle and not waste any food products, but they are just not willing to search through trash for food poisoning.
Now, here are two tips for all of you aspiring freegans, you do no have to go through a stranger's trash to get your supplies:
Instead of dumpster diving, you could make a deal with supermarkets or neighbors to give you leftover food before it is thrown in the garbage. In fact, this is a win-win for both parties. The freegan gets his supplies without having to waste time dumpster …
Health care Reporting Requirements for Business
Smart business owners know the importance of keeping good records. The Affordable Care Act has created one more incentive for employers to keep abreast of sometimes complicated reporting requirements, by requiring them to provide information about company-provided health care to both their employees and the government.
Not all of the law’s employer responsibility provisions have been implemented yet. Nevertheless, it makes good business sense to establish effective systems to meet obligations that are likely to be rolled out soon. Acting early will give business owners more time to iron out any wrinkles before the law comes to bear.
Reporting to Employees
The Affordable Care Act requires most employers to report the cost of any employer-sponsored group health plan on employee Forms W-2. This requirement applies to all employers who provide what the government defines as “applicable coverage, ” even if the employers are religious organizations or are not subject to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requirements. Small businesses issuing fewer than 250 Forms W-2 total are exempt from the reporting requirement until further guidance is issued.
For businesses subject to the rules, the amount reported in Box 12 of Form W-2 must include both the employer and employee portions of the plan’s cost. Certain forms of coverage must be reported, while other forms are either optional or excluded. For more information, see the IRS’ full chart of reporting requirements. (1)
Affected employers are not required to issue Forms W-2 to workers who would not normally receive one, such as retirees, simply to fulfill the requirement. For terminated employees, employers may use any reasonable method to report partial-year coverage, as long as the method is applied consistently. For employees who voluntarily leave and request Forms W-2 in writing prior to year-end, employers must provide the forms within 30 days of the request, but are not required to report the health benefit amounts.
Proposed Section 6056 regulations from the Internal revenue service would mainly affect reporting to the Service, though they would also require employers to notify employees in writing of any employee-related information shared with the IRS. These statements will need to be provided annually by January 31. Note that these regulations are still under discussion, and that there is a chance Form W-2 reporting alone could satisfy the requirement. Nevertheless, employers should pay attention to how the final regulations are worded.
Employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act …
I Took Back My Health by Leaving Fast Food Behind
I stopped eating all fast food items from fast food restaurants five years ago. After reading several books, doing research and simply buying healthier food at grocery stores it was an easy concept to follow through on.
You see, when I worked at a full time job, I bought junk food at all the fast food restaurants. I ate Wendy's, Arby's, Mc Donald's and Burger King Whoppers. This was my lunch nearly everyday. I also worked at a department store which served junk food that I loved eating a hot dog, and nachos smothered with cheese on the days I didn't have time to drive to the nearest fast food place.
The thing was two hours after paying for and eating this utter junk, I would be super hungry again. On my fifteen minute work break, I wound up eating more junk food from my job's snack bar.
After I had my first child, I had even less time in the morning to eat, and to pack a lunch, so I continued driving to the nearest fast food restaurant to buy the least expensive meals on their menus. I also took my son when he was old enough to chew food, to fast food places to buy him this utter junk. We lived on Coca-Cola, French fries, and cheeseburgers.
I started tapering off on my unhealthy eating habit when my stomach started bothering me 24-7. I started feeling like I was going to throw up and I either couldn't go to the bathroom or I was always going. I experienced many days where I had to call in sick even though we needed the money. After being hospitalized with pneumonia for four days, I stopped eating fast food for a year. I discovered the food, or what passes for food, I was putting into my body was filled with too many bad things, and I felt better when I ate healthier foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and food my husband and I made at home. I discovered that the best foods were the meals we made from scratch that were not premade or just needed to be popped into the microwave.
After my second bout of pneumonia and a nasty bout of colitis when I lost ten pounds in one week, my unending love for fast food died a quick death by simply saying those two words, "Never again."…
All about wondrous herb Kratom
Kratom is a wondrous herb. The reason why we assertively call it wondrous is because it works in a peculiar way- it has different effects when taken in different dosages. There are active alkaloids present in the herb that not only make it an effective sedative but also help it double as a strong stimulant. And no, its effects are not entirely dependent on the dosage; it has a track record of showing different results in different people taking it. So, it won’t be wrong to call it a versatile herb.Now, what these considerations mean and make pretty obvious is that one shouldn’t begin with a high dose. You should start taking Kratom in a low dose to, at least, be able to figure out how your body adapts to it.
The stimulant level:
When you keep the dosage of Kratom low, it works as a stimulant working wonders on your energy levels. You feel more active, alert and sometimes, more sexually driven. There have also been instances when Kratom in low doses made people friendlier, chatty, and not much surprisingly, more sociable. A lot of people would love this version of their own self; but many also dislike being edgy or on toes all the time.
The Sedative Level:
When Kratom is taken in high doses, it reduces both physical and emotional pain. So, the user feels and appears calm and composed. There have also been evidences when the user felt like entering into a state of trance or extreme pleasure. This waking dream’ state induced from Kratom was highly popular in the 19th century.
There may be mild side-effects like sweating, itching or nausea but they subside when the user lie down and rests. The sedative effects of Kratom usually last for six to seven hours and the dosage may be increased for long-lasting effects.
What are the risks?
One of the biggest risks of taking Kratom is that it makes you feel extremely drowsy, and its users often fall asleep. Hence, it’s advisable not to engage in any physical activity that might cause dangers, post its use. Staying away from driving and operating machinery can save you from a lot of dangers. To steer clear from this side effect, you can take Kratom with other herbs or drugs.
Can Kratom cause addictions?
If consumed mindfully, it doesn’t cause addictions. Nevertheless, there have been a couple of reports …
Lebanese Recipes for Healthy Post-Holiday Salads
The Mediterranean Diet is not your typical cut out this, add more of that diet. It's just the way people living in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea happen to eat on a regular basis. Fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and beans, a lot of fish and healthy oils are the staples of the diet. Adding in fresh herbs and spices provides a ton flavor to the dishes making them as delicious as they are healthy.
Salads in particular offer a lot of flavor punch with the added benefits of plenty of fiber and healthy fats. Although a salad recipe from Lebanon may sound exotic and difficult to make, they are super simple and don't require any obscure ingredients. Plus, you make the dressing yourself so you know exactly what's in it and limit those nasty additives and preservatives.
Try these healthy salad recipes with chicken or fish.
Lebanese Fatoush Salad
2-3 small or 1-2 large loaves of good, thin pita bread
1 tablespoon of dried mint
1 bunch of scallions
Juice of 2 lemons
1/3 cup of olive oil
1 head of lettuce or equivalent amount of leafy greens
1 large cucumber
1 small clove of garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place loaves of pita on oven racks and toast for 10-15 minutes until hard. Be careful not to burn the bread.
While the bread is toasting, cut up lettuce, scallions, and cucumber into small bite-sized pieces and place into a bowl.
When the bread is finished toasting, crush the loaves into small pieces over the salad. The pieces should be mostly bite-sized, but a few smaller pieces are fine too.
Mince the garlic with a microplane grater over the bowl. Add mint, crushing it finely by rubbing it between your hands. Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and combine all ingredients until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
Serving Tips
- Wait to dress the salad until just before serving so the bread doesn't get too soggy.
- If you don't plan to serve the salad all at once, make dressing in a separate container and keep pita chips in a separate bag. Top salad with pita chips and dressing just before serving.
- Use whole wheat pita for added fiber.
Lebanese Tabooleh Salad
½ cup fine bulgur (cracked wheat)
2 large bunches of flat leaf parsley
1 pint grape tomatoes…
