Cabin Fever Anyone?

Holidays can always be such a fun time of year, especially if you have school-age kids.

But let's be honest somewhere around the middle of the vacation it seems like the symptoms of cabin fever start to set in. Usually a little exercise, fresh air, and creativity are all the doctor would order.  Here's some ways to follow "doctor's orders":

1. Google: "Things to do in (fill in your city)" and see what you find.
You may be surprised at what there is to do right in your own back yard.

2. Go to the zoo.
Most areas have a zoo or aquarium or some kind of wildlife rescue area. (Ever wonder where they take celebrity tigers when they've gotten too old?)

3. Use where you live to your advantage.
If there is snow on the ground, get out in it! Bundle up and have an old-fashion snow ball fight with the forts and all! Or if your weather is mild, find a local park and organize a flag football game or a neighborhood Capture the Flag competition.

Whatever you choose to do, getting the energy out goes a long way to cure cabin fever.

Looking for a way to improve or change your career?
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How To Show Support to a Sick Loved One

Tragedy can strike a family at any time. Whether expected or unexpected, families have a difficult time when a loved one gets admitted to the hospital. The uncertainty creates a lot of stress and can become very toiling on a family. However, even in the midst of all this, they must remain focused on the person that is suffering with the sickness.

Finding ways to show support aren’t always easy. But the more a family supports the loved one–and one another–during this difficult time, the easier it may seem. One of the best things you can do for your loved one is be there for them as much as possible. If you aren’t able to stay at the hospital around the clock, come as often as you can. They need you to help comfort and encourage them during this difficult time. While your loved one will understand that you have responsibilities and things to do, she will greatly appreciate all the effort that you give to making sure you’re there as much as possible

For the Rest of the Article.

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Come Check Out WCO's Forum!

Have you heard the news?

We Care Online's Forum  is available to all students and facilities.  It only takes a moment to register.

The forum is the perfect place to find current listings from companies and individuals who are seeking employees and jobs.

If you or your facility know of any job openings in the Long Term Care, Assisted Living or Pharmacy fields, this is the place to announce it. If you're looking or a job or want to find the next step in your career, be sure to check out the forum.

You can also check for the latest news about classes and events, and talk with your fellow students about your coursework, your job, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

 Let's talk!

Check out the forum

To Learn More about Online Classes at We Care Online.

We Care Online Staff Highlight - Melanie Fischer

This month we meet Melanie Fischer.

Melanie Fischer has worked in healthcare for the past 19 years.  She originally needed a summer job when she was in high school and applied for a housekeeping position at Ellis Good Sam.  Melanie enjoyed the position, but wanted to do more to help the residents she served. Her love for helping others is what attracted her to healthcare and made the healthcare field a perfect fit.  Melanie is now an RN.

Melanie and her husband have been married for 14 years and have a farm in the Ellis area where they have cattle running about. Melanie and her husband have 4 beautiful children.  They have three sons; Lane 11; Coby 10; and Jacy 9; and a 4 year old daughter, Kennedi.

When she is not working, Melanie likes spending time with her children.  Her boys are in 4-H and the entire family is very involved in the club. 4-H is the Fischer family’s biggest activity and involves all family members in raising and caring for the animals they show at the fair. The family has raised and shown different types of livestock.  They have raised and shown bucket calves, and are now currently raising show pigs and flocks of show chickens and ducks.

Melanie’s advice to anyone seeking to enter healthcare is to have patience with those you work with, including residents and workers. Melanie’s mantra is to always put first those you are serving, and to put your own wants and needs last. Melanie believes in working as a team player no matter what personal conflicts you may have with another co-worker, and to always show respect for those you work with and to be professional when you are working.

Everyone at WeCareOnline plays an important role in helping students have the best online learning experience possible. Melanie answers phone calls that come into her office for all CNA and CMA questions. She also assists in the set up process for classes; helping the clinical instructors in the set up process.  She helps students to enroll in classes, and provides support and assistance to advertise upcoming classes. While Melanie supports WCO mission in numerous ways, she views her most important role at WCO is the work she does educating the students in the classroom, monitoring grades, and answering emails from students/instructors or individuals interested in the WCO program.

6 Ways to Love Your Job . . . Even if You Hate It

Hate your job? You're not alone. 

But with the job market the way it is, finding a new one might be a lot easier said than done. In the meantime, there are things you can do to learn to love your job. Even while you're on the hunt for a better gig, finding ways to love, or at least like, the job you have will help make the day go by faster.
Here are a few things you can do to love your job even if you really do hate it.

Make friends— You have to spend a lot of time at work. In fact, it's probably more time than you spend with your family. Nothing makes the day go faster than having a good laugh or sharing a cute story about your kids with your work friends. While you may not have a lot in common with all of your co-workers, odds are you can find something  to talk about with at least some of them.

Make it homey— Even the most generic cubicle could benefit from a little makeover. Whether it's photos of your kids or a little memento from your last vacation, personalizing your work space can really make being there a lot more tolerable.

For More Tips and the Rest of the Article.

Interested in learning more about online healthcare classes? Visit: We Care Online.

IPads and Memory Care Residents

iPads are not only hip; they’re also helpful in memory care. That’s right—iPads have actually proven to help with cognitive skills, mobility and communication for those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

We all knew Steve Jobs was a brilliant man of his time, but we’re not sure that even he knew how smart the iPad technology was for the elderly population. But the easy to use iPad has enhanced many a seniors lives—and especially those suffering from dementia.

According to Health Central Park Nursing Home’s director, Judy Skilton, “It came to us as a happy accident. What started out as one resident’s curiosity turned into something that is helping them spell, track items, make choices and read words. It’s amazing.”

Residents in assisted living and memory care communities love iPads because they’re easy to use with the touch-pad technology and swipe of a finger. They don’t require a mouse or control device which can sometimes be difficult for some elders. They’re also easy to navigate.

But how, exactly, is the iPad benefiting those in memory care? Here are 9 reasons why iPad’s enhance the lives of many seniors:

1. They’re lightweight and carry like a book.
2. They interact with residents, provide excitement and open-up a new means of communication to those who can’t express themselves in the way they desire.
3. They can monitor an elderly person’s movements, habits, temperature in their home and remind them when to take their pills.

For the Rest of the Blog.

Why not learn more about becoming an Activity Director in the Senior Care industry? Find out a class schedule at We Care Online.

How to Help Seasonal Depression

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year.

If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes depression in the spring or early summer.

Treatment for seasonal affective disorder includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications.

Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.

For More Tips and To Read More about this condition.

Find out more about becoming a Restorative Aide.

Assisted Living vs. Hospice Dilemma

When hospice services are brought into assisted living facilities for older residents with terminal illnesses, problems can arise. Good communication between families, hospice staff, assisted living staff and paid caregivers (if they’re part of the picture) can make all the difference and minimize the potential for conflict. How can you make sure this happens?

Educate yourself. Ask the people who run your assisted living center if they have worked with hospice providers before, said Dr. David Koets, chief medical officer of The Denver Hospice. Are there one or more hospice organizations that they prefer? If so, why? How many residents have used the providers, and how have things worked out?

You may want to ask how often residents die at your assisted living center, suggested Judi Lund Person, vice president of compliance for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Are staff members comfortable with helping out when a resident is nearing the end of life? Does the center offer any special services for residents in this situation? What about other residents; is the center comfortable letting a hospice organization provide them with bereavement services?

Be clear about expectations. Exactly how much care and what kind of care is the assisted living facility able to provide you or your relative? Do residents have the ability to purchase extra services? If so, what is the cost? What tasks will the assisted living center not do, and in what circumstances will leadership at the center require other caregivers to help out?

Ask similar questions of the hospice organization you are considering signing up with.

Click Here to Read the Rest of Judith Graham's New York Times' Blog.

Now is the time to check on a career in healthcare. For info on online classes: Click Here.