Home Health Care Aide training information and assistance for paraprofessionals. We discuss issues that pertain to you on and off the job. Hopefully, it answers questions you may have. Visit our site at http://www.hhahelp.com as well.
Monday, November 14, 2011
How to stop using the Emergency Room as a Doctor's Visit
People find it to be a habit to use the ER as a M.D. Appointment in during off hours. The truth is urgent care centers give you the same treatment you can get in the ER. They can do the stitches and other services an ER can provide.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
A Home Health Aide works with patients living with mental disorders
A Home Health Aide works with patients that have mental problems. That would usually get treatments through medication and services of a mental health institution or facilities.
However, advocates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine believe that there are less intensive, more holistic approaches that could be rendered to these patients in conjunction to their medical treatments.
While they do not have approved therapeutic claim and there are no conclusive proofs that these alternatives really work they have been practiced for years and have yielded significant positive results in their own fields. Here are the suggested alternative solutions to mental health care:
Slowing down
Daily stressors contribute to the development of several mental health disorders. In fact, stress itself is considered as a threat to mental health. It disrupts sleep, thinking and rest and it usually affects the way we function everyday. Thus it is suggested to adopt several methods that will help lessen and manage the negative stressors we are exposed to everyday.
Biofeedback – This method is normally used in treating mental health disorders such as phobias, panic and anxiety. This works by controlling the involuntary muscle functioning such as skin temperature and heart rate and by controlling muscle tension.
Massage therapy – This method advances the belief the tapping, rubbing, and brushing the skin and muscle groups could relieve pent up emotions and internal tension. People suffering from severe cases of stress and post-traumatic disorders are usually advised to take get massage therapy regularly.
Visualization – Another method to lessen tension and stress is to redirect the perception and the individual techniques on visualization. This works by entering into a deep state of relaxation where the person could create relaxing and "friendly" images that will contribute to his well-being and lessen the occurrence of unwanted thoughts that are detrimental to one's mental health.
Traditional alternative approaches
Ayurdeva – Imported from Indian Traditional Medicine, Ayurdeva is a holistic approach to caring your mental health. This seeks balance on the body energies rather than on the symptoms that affect the body. This system of traditional treatments includes yoga, a widely practiced alternative solution in the Western world these days. Yoga makes use of postures, exercises, stretches and meditation to achieve the balance of body energies.
Native American approaches – Cleansing rituals and chants are part of the Indian Health Services Programs that are focused on treating people suffering from depression, stress-related disorders and anxiety disorders.
Acupuncture – Used in treating many other ailments in the body, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical approach that could also be used as treatment to mental disorders. This makes use of needles with various sizes that are inserted to different pressure points in the body to be able to control its flow of energy.
Diet and Nutrition
According to studies, diet and nutrition affects the manner by which our brains work. If it is deprived with certain nutrients, the brain may fail to function the way it should be.
Vitamin and nutrient intake – According to some studies, there are specific vitamins that our brain needs in order to produce other chemicals that are crucial in maintaining our moods. Also, some vitamins are important in preventing the development of neurological and degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Thus, proper intake of these vitamins and minerals plus supplementation of essential nutrients are highly recommended to maintain mental health.
Mental health care does not only need to include medical treatments, support of other approaches is also needed to maximize the possibility of patient recovery.
However, advocates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine believe that there are less intensive, more holistic approaches that could be rendered to these patients in conjunction to their medical treatments.
While they do not have approved therapeutic claim and there are no conclusive proofs that these alternatives really work they have been practiced for years and have yielded significant positive results in their own fields. Here are the suggested alternative solutions to mental health care:
Slowing down
Daily stressors contribute to the development of several mental health disorders. In fact, stress itself is considered as a threat to mental health. It disrupts sleep, thinking and rest and it usually affects the way we function everyday. Thus it is suggested to adopt several methods that will help lessen and manage the negative stressors we are exposed to everyday.
Biofeedback – This method is normally used in treating mental health disorders such as phobias, panic and anxiety. This works by controlling the involuntary muscle functioning such as skin temperature and heart rate and by controlling muscle tension.
Massage therapy – This method advances the belief the tapping, rubbing, and brushing the skin and muscle groups could relieve pent up emotions and internal tension. People suffering from severe cases of stress and post-traumatic disorders are usually advised to take get massage therapy regularly.
Visualization – Another method to lessen tension and stress is to redirect the perception and the individual techniques on visualization. This works by entering into a deep state of relaxation where the person could create relaxing and "friendly" images that will contribute to his well-being and lessen the occurrence of unwanted thoughts that are detrimental to one's mental health.
Traditional alternative approaches
Ayurdeva – Imported from Indian Traditional Medicine, Ayurdeva is a holistic approach to caring your mental health. This seeks balance on the body energies rather than on the symptoms that affect the body. This system of traditional treatments includes yoga, a widely practiced alternative solution in the Western world these days. Yoga makes use of postures, exercises, stretches and meditation to achieve the balance of body energies.
Native American approaches – Cleansing rituals and chants are part of the Indian Health Services Programs that are focused on treating people suffering from depression, stress-related disorders and anxiety disorders.
Acupuncture – Used in treating many other ailments in the body, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical approach that could also be used as treatment to mental disorders. This makes use of needles with various sizes that are inserted to different pressure points in the body to be able to control its flow of energy.
Diet and Nutrition
According to studies, diet and nutrition affects the manner by which our brains work. If it is deprived with certain nutrients, the brain may fail to function the way it should be.
Vitamin and nutrient intake – According to some studies, there are specific vitamins that our brain needs in order to produce other chemicals that are crucial in maintaining our moods. Also, some vitamins are important in preventing the development of neurological and degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Thus, proper intake of these vitamins and minerals plus supplementation of essential nutrients are highly recommended to maintain mental health.
Mental health care does not only need to include medical treatments, support of other approaches is also needed to maximize the possibility of patient recovery.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
5 Creative Ways to Make More Money as a Home Health Aide
As a Home Care Worker you have many opportunities. The home care industry is booming and Home Health Aide's are at the front line. Home Health Aide's are the eyes and ears of the nurse, so why shouldn't they make good money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the annual yearly wage can be up to 29,390.
I doubt that includes overtime pay, so that is a potential for more money. Also, I must include that the basic criteria to becoming a Home Health Aide, is that you have to be 18 years old and have a basic reading level. The class can be 2-3weeks long and you can start making money. You can find Free Home Health Aide training in your area
These are 5 creative ways a Home Health Aide can make more money:
1) Upgrade your skills: Too many times Home Health Health Aides complain about not getting enough money per hour. However, they do not take the time to improve their clinical skills. A C.P.R class may get you more money or for example, a special training in handling Special Needs patients or T.B.I (Traumatic Brain Injury) patients.
Don't forget being that you have hands on patient care. Becoming a C.N.A (Certified Nursing Assistant) maybe something you can handle. Some CNA's make over 20.00/per hour with Shift differentials and the positions are union. See CNA Classroom
REMEMBER: It's a small sacrifice for a lifetime of paradise.
2)Be available to Work: This may seem obvious to some, but many Home health aides have small children at home and can not take extra work from your coordinator to make more money because of the lack of child care services.
Some times that babysitter (Search & Find the perfect babysitter today with Care4hire.) can really come in handy when you need to make the extra holiday pay.
3) Market Yourself: That may not have sounded right *smile*, but seriously you really need to get yourself out of your shell. Your an experienced specially trained healthcare professional, ACT LIKE IT!
As a Home Health Aide you know how to care for people, so market yourself to your coordinators at the agency you currently work for. So, you can get that exclusive private(V.I.P) case. They may pay more money to take care of a V.I.P client. if anything they might have perks. You never know unless you try.
Post Your FREE Resume Today to attract top employers!
A private case can also be working for yourself. Put basic information about your skills and experience on internet classified ads, like Craigslist to get customers.
Many rich people DO NOT like to spend money. So, they will gladly be happy not to pay a home care agency and pay you out of their pocket, because it's cheaper for them.
It will be a higher wage(because you asked for more money) and the conditions might be better.
4)Work For Multiple Agencies: This can be tricky but, if the home care company does not mind, then your good. If one agency doesn't give you what your looking for in hours call your other agency to make up the difference. There are a few places to start from:
Apply for Healthcare jobs on Snagajob
Home Health aide jobs
personal care aide jobs
5)Think out of the BOX: Every organization needs a health care department. Think about it. People fall, trip, and injury themselves all the time on the job there are medical personnel in all of these business establishments.
My point is that, because you have the health care experience and hands on care you can work for jobs that do not necessarily say "WE NEED HOME HEALTH AIDES". The job might say in the DESCRIPTION, "need someone with health care experience and hands on care" and might indicate that a health care certificate or degree would be preferred.
That is an opportunity waiting, right there. Many non traditional health care companies ask that many of there employees have health care experience. You have a better chance of getting that job, than someone who has business, banking, or retail experience.
Someone I know got a job working in transportation of medical patients, just because she had experience with hands on transferring of patients. She still had to get a C.D.L license, but she probably had a leg up from the competition that only worked driving the transport bus.
So, There you have it, 5 Creative ways to make more money if you have Home Health Aide Training. I hope these suggestions help, along with my examples.
If you get a chance.Check out the www.hhahelp.com website, for more tips and suggestions or just comment on this blog.
I doubt that includes overtime pay, so that is a potential for more money. Also, I must include that the basic criteria to becoming a Home Health Aide, is that you have to be 18 years old and have a basic reading level. The class can be 2-3weeks long and you can start making money. You can find Free Home Health Aide training in your area
These are 5 creative ways a Home Health Aide can make more money:
1) Upgrade your skills: Too many times Home Health Health Aides complain about not getting enough money per hour. However, they do not take the time to improve their clinical skills. A C.P.R class may get you more money or for example, a special training in handling Special Needs patients or T.B.I (Traumatic Brain Injury) patients.
Don't forget being that you have hands on patient care. Becoming a C.N.A (Certified Nursing Assistant) maybe something you can handle. Some CNA's make over 20.00/per hour with Shift differentials and the positions are union. See CNA Classroom
REMEMBER: It's a small sacrifice for a lifetime of paradise.
2)Be available to Work: This may seem obvious to some, but many Home health aides have small children at home and can not take extra work from your coordinator to make more money because of the lack of child care services.
Some times that babysitter (Search & Find the perfect babysitter today with Care4hire.) can really come in handy when you need to make the extra holiday pay.
3) Market Yourself: That may not have sounded right *smile*, but seriously you really need to get yourself out of your shell. Your an experienced specially trained healthcare professional, ACT LIKE IT!
As a Home Health Aide you know how to care for people, so market yourself to your coordinators at the agency you currently work for. So, you can get that exclusive private(V.I.P) case. They may pay more money to take care of a V.I.P client. if anything they might have perks. You never know unless you try.
Post Your FREE Resume Today to attract top employers!
A private case can also be working for yourself. Put basic information about your skills and experience on internet classified ads, like Craigslist to get customers.
Many rich people DO NOT like to spend money. So, they will gladly be happy not to pay a home care agency and pay you out of their pocket, because it's cheaper for them.
It will be a higher wage(because you asked for more money) and the conditions might be better.
4)Work For Multiple Agencies: This can be tricky but, if the home care company does not mind, then your good. If one agency doesn't give you what your looking for in hours call your other agency to make up the difference. There are a few places to start from:
Apply for Healthcare jobs on Snagajob
Home Health aide jobs
personal care aide jobs
5)Think out of the BOX: Every organization needs a health care department. Think about it. People fall, trip, and injury themselves all the time on the job there are medical personnel in all of these business establishments.
My point is that, because you have the health care experience and hands on care you can work for jobs that do not necessarily say "WE NEED HOME HEALTH AIDES". The job might say in the DESCRIPTION, "need someone with health care experience and hands on care" and might indicate that a health care certificate or degree would be preferred.
That is an opportunity waiting, right there. Many non traditional health care companies ask that many of there employees have health care experience. You have a better chance of getting that job, than someone who has business, banking, or retail experience.
Someone I know got a job working in transportation of medical patients, just because she had experience with hands on transferring of patients. She still had to get a C.D.L license, but she probably had a leg up from the competition that only worked driving the transport bus.
So, There you have it, 5 Creative ways to make more money if you have Home Health Aide Training. I hope these suggestions help, along with my examples.
If you get a chance.Check out the www.hhahelp.com website, for more tips and suggestions or just comment on this blog.
Depression And The Elderly
The elderly face many more challenges than their younger counterparts. They are at an age where death is almost expected – whether it is reading about a friend in the paper or losing a family member. They also face more health problems.
These factors can often lead to depression if older people do not have the appropriate support systems in place. Depression does not have to happen and it is not part of aging. However it can happen and it will prevent an elderly person from living a full life as they are more likely to withdraw into themselves and their memories.
The biggest thing a family can do for their elderly parent or relative is to learn to distinguish between the symptoms of depression and of grief. Grief occurs much more frequently for the elderly as they are more likely to lose loved ones, their health, their mobility, their freedoms, and their careers.
Doctors know grief is painful and can last a long time –sometimes even weeks. It is when these weeks start to turn in to months and the griever’s behaviors start to change that is cause for concern.
Depression in the elderly is more likely to go unchecked and untreated than in any other age group. Often relatives do not visit as often so do not notice how long the person has been feeling sad. Some assume feeling sad is part of aging, although that could not be further from the truth.
Even doctors are often more concerned about the physical well-being of their patients rather than their emotion state. The consequences of these inactions are cause for serious concern. Depressed elderly individuals are at a higher risk for alcohol and drug abuse, illness, and suicide. Their relatives need to be able to discern when a person is depressed and to watch out for the warning signs.
Warning signs for depression in the elderly can be isolation, extreme sadness, loss of interest in hobbies, weight loss, difficulties sleeping, feelings of being a burden to their family, lack of personal hygiene, even possible suicide attempts. Sometimes the signs are harder to see as the depressed elderly individual may not even feel sad.
It may be that they are constantly worrying, wringing their hands, complaining more than usual, experiencing more aches and pains than before, pacing in the home, or even generally lacking energy. These are all signs of depression that relatives should be on the lookout for so they can help the elderly seek the treatment they need and deserve.
Treatment is available and necessary. As the general population of Americans age, the once-called “baby boomers” are now turning into our elderly. The population of elderly is steadily increasing at rates never before seen. It is essential for families and relatives to pull together to help keep an eye on our older loved ones.
Perhaps it is as simple as inviting a parent, grand-parent, or elderly aunt over for supper. Perhaps it is getting involved at the local recreation center and organizing activities for the elderly. Perhaps it is watching over older family members more closely to make sure they are eating properly and taking their medications on time.
Whatever we choose to do, it is our responsibility as the younger generation to look after our elders.
These factors can often lead to depression if older people do not have the appropriate support systems in place. Depression does not have to happen and it is not part of aging. However it can happen and it will prevent an elderly person from living a full life as they are more likely to withdraw into themselves and their memories.
The biggest thing a family can do for their elderly parent or relative is to learn to distinguish between the symptoms of depression and of grief. Grief occurs much more frequently for the elderly as they are more likely to lose loved ones, their health, their mobility, their freedoms, and their careers.
Doctors know grief is painful and can last a long time –sometimes even weeks. It is when these weeks start to turn in to months and the griever’s behaviors start to change that is cause for concern.
Depression in the elderly is more likely to go unchecked and untreated than in any other age group. Often relatives do not visit as often so do not notice how long the person has been feeling sad. Some assume feeling sad is part of aging, although that could not be further from the truth.
Even doctors are often more concerned about the physical well-being of their patients rather than their emotion state. The consequences of these inactions are cause for serious concern. Depressed elderly individuals are at a higher risk for alcohol and drug abuse, illness, and suicide. Their relatives need to be able to discern when a person is depressed and to watch out for the warning signs.
Warning signs for depression in the elderly can be isolation, extreme sadness, loss of interest in hobbies, weight loss, difficulties sleeping, feelings of being a burden to their family, lack of personal hygiene, even possible suicide attempts. Sometimes the signs are harder to see as the depressed elderly individual may not even feel sad.
It may be that they are constantly worrying, wringing their hands, complaining more than usual, experiencing more aches and pains than before, pacing in the home, or even generally lacking energy. These are all signs of depression that relatives should be on the lookout for so they can help the elderly seek the treatment they need and deserve.
Treatment is available and necessary. As the general population of Americans age, the once-called “baby boomers” are now turning into our elderly. The population of elderly is steadily increasing at rates never before seen. It is essential for families and relatives to pull together to help keep an eye on our older loved ones.
Perhaps it is as simple as inviting a parent, grand-parent, or elderly aunt over for supper. Perhaps it is getting involved at the local recreation center and organizing activities for the elderly. Perhaps it is watching over older family members more closely to make sure they are eating properly and taking their medications on time.
Whatever we choose to do, it is our responsibility as the younger generation to look after our elders.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Taking Care of a Alzheimer's Loved one
Alzheimer’s disease is the type of dementia that is more frequently seen among the older population. It is characterized by a worsening of the person’s cognition, particularly in thought, memory and in language, a progressive decline in his ability to perform activities of daily living and may even be accompanied by changes in his behavior.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s can be very stressful for the individual as well as for his loved ones. The progression of the disease may render the person in need of total care as it affects even the most basic skills necessary for his daily existence.
Let’s take mealtimes, for example. For a person with Alzheimer’s, even nutrition may pose as challenge. There are normal physiologic changes that come with aging, such as a diminished sense of taste and smell, and indeed, these may affect the individual’s desire to eat. But when dealing with Alzheimer’s, the person may even forget to eat or in other cases, he may want to eat but has forgotten how to prepare meals.
Through the course of the disease, he may eventually lose his table manners and may have difficulty in swallowing. Agitation and distractibility may also develop. To alleviate these problems, caregivers would often find it necessary to call their loved ones to remind them to eat or instruct them step by step on how to prepare meals.
Small, frequent meals are more in line, and finger foods that are high in calories would be provided. Decreasing the environmental stimuli, by taking extra utensils off the table and using bright, solid-colored plates may address the easy distractibility. And to encourage self- care, the person may be provided with spoons with large handles rather than forks and bowls rather than plates.
Nutrition is just one of the many hurdles when dealing with Alzheimer’s. People with Alzheimer’s disease often need assistance with other activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting and changing.
It is necessary to balance this need for assistance with as much independence as possible. The caregiver must allow the person to do as much as he can while providing the least amount of help. For this, patience and flexibility are crucial.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s can be fulfilling for the caregiver but can be as draining as well. Losing a loved one in this way is heartbreaking. Dealing with Alzheimer’s is one of the most difficult jobs in the world as one may tend to lose sight of his own needs as he cares for his loved one.
When in stressful situations, one needs to take even better care of oneself. It is in these circumstances that people often realize how strong they could really be for their loved ones.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s can be very stressful for the individual as well as for his loved ones. The progression of the disease may render the person in need of total care as it affects even the most basic skills necessary for his daily existence.
Let’s take mealtimes, for example. For a person with Alzheimer’s, even nutrition may pose as challenge. There are normal physiologic changes that come with aging, such as a diminished sense of taste and smell, and indeed, these may affect the individual’s desire to eat. But when dealing with Alzheimer’s, the person may even forget to eat or in other cases, he may want to eat but has forgotten how to prepare meals.
Through the course of the disease, he may eventually lose his table manners and may have difficulty in swallowing. Agitation and distractibility may also develop. To alleviate these problems, caregivers would often find it necessary to call their loved ones to remind them to eat or instruct them step by step on how to prepare meals.
Small, frequent meals are more in line, and finger foods that are high in calories would be provided. Decreasing the environmental stimuli, by taking extra utensils off the table and using bright, solid-colored plates may address the easy distractibility. And to encourage self- care, the person may be provided with spoons with large handles rather than forks and bowls rather than plates.
Nutrition is just one of the many hurdles when dealing with Alzheimer’s. People with Alzheimer’s disease often need assistance with other activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting and changing.
It is necessary to balance this need for assistance with as much independence as possible. The caregiver must allow the person to do as much as he can while providing the least amount of help. For this, patience and flexibility are crucial.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s can be fulfilling for the caregiver but can be as draining as well. Losing a loved one in this way is heartbreaking. Dealing with Alzheimer’s is one of the most difficult jobs in the world as one may tend to lose sight of his own needs as he cares for his loved one.
When in stressful situations, one needs to take even better care of oneself. It is in these circumstances that people often realize how strong they could really be for their loved ones.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
GREAT Ideas for the Home, that you/your patients can not do Without
Travel UV Toothbrush Sanitizer
I really like this toothbrush, because it keeps your toothbrush free from germs before/after brushing. I think its better than just putting the toothbrush on the sink and letting germs multiply, then putting it in YOUR MOUTH. Yikes! The price(19.99) doesn't break the bank and you can take it with you for overnight cases.
Also, I found a link to babysitting services, if you gotta go to that home care live-in case.
Search & Find the perfect babysitter today with Care4hire.
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