Is there a Connection? Sleep Patterns & Nursing Home Placement

Older women with disturbed and fragmented sleep were three times more likely to be placed in a long-term care facility than elderly women with healthier sleep patterns.

Publishing results in The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, investigators studied data of older women who wore devices that monitored sleeping patterns for three days. Five years later, they observed that participants who spent the smallest proportion of their time in bed actually sleeping had about three times the odds of being placed in a nursing home.

I'm getting the association here. If you get up during the night and are disoriented, you may have a higher likelihood to fall. And falling in the elderly can lead to broken hips, etc. And that can lead to nursing home stays.

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How to Ask for a Raise

Asking for a raise can be a daunting task. How do you get the boss to see it your way? Preparation is key - don't talk to your supervisor until you've planned your approach. Asking for a raise is much like a sales presentation, and sales is not a skill that many healthcare professionals have perfected.

Here are a few tips:  

Timing is everything.
Studies have shown that on Fridays, workers are in the best mood, and therefore more agreeable. Sure, it sounds obvious, but it’s best to approach your boss at the end of the week, rather than the beginning of the week, and especially not on a Monday!


Performance pays.
Definitely ask for the raise when your performance is at a peak. For example, if your patient encounters are higher than ever, or you were recently recognized for an accomplishment, award, or completing a major project – now is the time to strike while the iron is hot.

Do your homework.
Know your value in the market. There are several websites which will provide compensation information such as Absolutely Healthcare.com.

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Day Care: Choosing a Good Center

What should I look for in a day care center?

Whether you are considering a commercial day care center or one in someone's home, you should check it out carefully. Ask questions of the staff. Talk to parents of other children at the day care center. Look over the center carefully. 

Ask about the child to staff ratio.

• How many children are there for each staff member? The fewer children each staff member is responsible for, the better. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a ratio of one staff person for 3 to 5 small children and one staff member for 7 to 10 older children.

Ask how the center cares for sick children.

• How is medicine given?
• How are parents told about illness among the children?
• When must children stay home because of illness?
• Does the center have a "sick room" for children with minor illnesses?

What are some signs that would tell me if there are problems?

• The staff fails to answer your questions and address your concerns.
• There is no way for parents to be involved in the day care practices.
• Your child tells you about problems or is not happy with his or her day care experience.
• Unexplained accidents happen more than once.

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Mental Health Issues and Seniors

The numbers are staggering: according to the Centers for Disease Control, 20 percent of those 55 years or older experience some sort of mental health issue, whether it be anxiety, severe cognitive impairment or mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. Older men have the highest rates of suicide of any age group at 45.23 per 100,000 compared with 11.01 per 100,000 for the overall population, and mental health issues are often implicated as a factor.

And a recent Institute of Medicine report shows similar statistics—one in five older adults in the United States have a mental health or substance use problem.

Below are 10 tips for caregivers to recognize mental health issues in elders, for elders seeking help and links to SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) many resources:

1. Watch for these common signs of mental health problems: social withdrawal, inability to cope with daily problems and activities, excessive fear, worries and anxieties, dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits, confused thinking or prolonged depression.
2. Watch for these physical signs of substance use disorders: sudden weight loss or gain, slurred speech and changes in appetite and sleeping patters; behavioral signs such as unexplained financial problems, sudden change in friends and declining performance at work; and psychological changes such as sudden mood swings, lack of motivation, and feelings of fear, anxiety and paranoia.

For the rest of the tips and to see the rest of the article at "Aging Today" Click Here.  To learn more about We Care Online's Social Service Designee Classes Click Here.

Leisure Activites, Social Networks & Survival After Age 75

A new study reported in the British Medical Journal links lifestyle, social factors and survival after age 75.

Information on leisure activities and social networks was obtained from participants through face to face interviews carried out by trained nurses. Mental activities included reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, painting, or drawing. Physical activities included swimming, walking, or gymnastics. Social activities consisted of attending the theater, concerts, or art exhibitions; traveling; playing cards or games; or participating in social groups or an organization for older people. Productive activities included gardening, housekeeping, cooking, working for pay after retirement, doing volunteer work, and sewing, knitting, crocheting, or weaving.

Of the leisure activities, physical activity was most strongly associated with survival, with those participating surviving on average 2 years longer.

The study reported that the average survival of people with a low risk profile (healthy lifestyle behaviours, participation in at least one leisure activity, and a rich or moderate social network) was 5.4 years longer than those with a high risk profile (unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, no participation in leisure activities, and a limited or poor social network). Even among those 85 years plus, the median age at death was four years higher for those with a low risk profile compared with those with a high risk profile.

To read more about this study: British Medical Journal.

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How to Improve Success While Taking an Online Class

Just signed up for your first online class? Taking an online class can be a challenge especially if you are trying to balance it between work and family responsibilities. However, these three simple steps can help your success:

• Organization is key. Have a designated work area in your home where you can study, test, and prepare for your class. Once you have the course syllabus or due date sheet, write down everything that is due on a wall calendar. Seeing the visual every time you study will help with planning and reduce stress over forgetting assignments.

• Get on top of the game early. As much as possible try to get on top of your first few assignments early: class orientations, reading assignments, first quizzes. Getting a head of the game early will help set good habits and will help you from falling behind while you adjust to your new schedule.

• Establish open communication with the instructor. Establish good communication right away with your instructor. Send an introductory email before the class starts. Good communication early on can help you from feeling isolated later which can contribute to possibly dropping the class. It is especially important to ask questions when you have them and to use your instructor as a resource if you start to see slipping grades. Many online instructors are eager to help you find resources to improve study habits, find tutoring, etc. 

We Care Online offers a broad range of online medical classes and can prepare you for a career in everything from nursing to pharmacy.  Click here  for more information.