Are You Dehydrated?

We've all heard that we should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to maintain proper hydration, but how many of us really take the time to measure our fluid intake? It can be even worse for residents in nursing homes and managed care facilities. Many residents are on multiple medications, and these can have profound effects on the fluid balance in their bodies. There may also be behavioral or physical obstacles to getting enough water. Dehydration is a serious issue in managed care settings, and it's worth the extra effort to make sure that both you and your residents are staying hydrated.

"It's winter and cold outside so no one is sweating," you might say? It's true that you're not sweating like in the summer heat, but even in cold temperatures, we lose water through sweat. Also, home and commercial heaters dry the air significantly. It's very tough to stay properly hydrated when you are surrounded by such dry air. Dehydration can contribute to everything from decreased cognitive abilities to an increased risk of urinary tract infections. The Nursing Home Abuse Blog has a great article on the subject.

Need another reason to take dehydration seriously? A recent study showed that, in women, "dehydration caused little reduction in cognitive ability, but did cause significant fatigue, tension and anxiety." (from Scientific American).We all have enough stress in our lives. Those eight glasses of water might go a long way towards keeping you healthy and happy. Do it for your residents and for yourself! 

 cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by Bill Ruhsam

Making Health Care More Accessible

Now that internet access is available to almost everyone, many people turn to online resources for information and advice. But many more still prefer to get their information from books and turn to their local libraries for help. An innovate program at one Arizona library is taking this service to the next level. They have hired a full-time registered nurse to assist library patrons with their healthcare questions and issues. She spends her time at six different library locations throughout the city and helps people with everything from diabetes information to referrals in domestic abuse situations. As anyone who works in healthcare knows, care is never limited to just a doctor's office or a managed care facility. It's interesting to see new and creative options like this!

Mardi Gras Celebration

This year's Mardi Gras fell on Tuesday, the 21st. Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world, but most famously in Brazil's Carnival and New Orleans's series of parades and parties. It's a chance for people to indulge before entering the Christian Lenten season, a time of reflection and fasting. While the heavy indulgence and wild parties are too excessive for an assisted living setting, you can still capture the spirit of Mardi Gras and make it a fun celebration for residents. Mardi Gras is all about good food, bright colors, and merriment--who doesn't like that?

Perhaps one of the most iconic items associated with Mardi Gras is beaded necklaces. In New Orleans, these trinkets are tossed from floats in the parades. Many online shops offer large quantities of these necklaces at affordable prices. It's easy to stock up and have several on hand to share with residents. Another fun part of Mardi Gras is the wild and colorful masks worn by revelers. Making masks is a great craft project. All you need is paper plates for the base and glitter, ribbons, or other baubles for decoration. This tutorial shows a quick and easy way to make masks.

Don't forget the King Cake. This is a sweet confection that comes decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors, purple, gold and green. A small plastic baby is hidden inside the cake, and the person who finds the baby is supposed to carry on the fun by hosting the next party. There are many recipes for king cake online, and it's an easy way to add a festive touch to your celebration.

Take your cue from this Kentucky nursing home and bring the fun and festivity of Mardi Gras to your facility.

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by Galveston.com

Best of the Best: Nursing Homes

U.S. News & World Report just released their list of the best nursing homes in the U.S.-- did your facility make the cut? Over 15,500 facilities were evaluated for this report, and of those, only 39 scored high enough to be considered the best of the best. While the list focuses on the best facilities from the residents' perspective, it's also a good indicator of hard-working, compassionate employees, too. Congratulations to the "honor roll" facilities that made the cut!

cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by karathepirate

Love at 91

Just in time for Valentine's Day comes this heartwarming story from the Today show. Lifelong friends tie the knot at age 91. Love knows no bounds!

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

End of Life Decisions: The Rise of Hospice Care

As the demand for assisted living and elder care rises, so does the need for end of life and hospice care. There are many crossovers between assisted living and hospice care, and this means there are many opportunities for career growth and changes. This overview, just over a year old, paints a very optimistic picture for healthcare workers with an interest in end of life care. CNAs and Home Health Aides can expect to see more employment options than ever before. As the article notes, "Like so many other senior care industries, the hospice industry is expected to boom as aging Baby Boomers seek palliative care in increasing numbers." It also notes that the hospice is largely "underserved" and that individuals were unable to find hospice services in their immediate areas. More facilities and organizations are springing up to fill this need, so there will be a steady demand for qualified workers. There is a lot in this article to interest people working in healthcare or considering a career in the field.

  cc licensed ( BY SD ) flickr photo shared by ulrichkarljoho

Is There Hope for a MRSA Vaccine?

If you've worked in health care for any length of time, you know how important it is to prevent the spread of germs and disease. This is particularly crucial in a hospital or care setting where you have individuals with weakened or compromised immune systems. Along with preventing things like the common cold, routine cleaning also reduces the risk of passing or acquiring potentially deadly pathogens like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). 

Now, thanks to recent medical research, there might be hope for a MRSA vaccine. This article in Scientific American delves deeper into the issue and explains how "A study by staff at the CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion estimates that an S. aureus vaccine given to vulnerable groups could reduce the number of serious MRSA infections by 24,000-34,000 cases per year." Wired Magazine has more on this important development, and links to several in-depth resources where you can learn more. Both articles are worth reading!


cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by PNNL - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

User Forum for Past and Current Students

Big news from We Care Online: we now have a forum available to all current and former students. It's at http://www.wecareonlineclasses.com/forum.html and only takes a moment to register.

Here you can 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. Most importantly, we're also posting job announcements on the forum.

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.

Let's talk!

Check out the forum