Working Out in the Summer Heat

Warmer, sunny days are finally here, but after exercising in cooler Spring temps, hot and humid 80-degree days can feel overwhelming. Running, biking, hiking, even walking feels harder in the heat, so here are some tips to help you get through your Summer workouts.

Be flexible about when you work out: Become obsessed with checking the weather, and find out when temps are going to be the lowest that day. Sometimes it's early in the morning, and sometimes late in the evening, so you'lll need to rearrange your schedule to fit in exercise during the coolest time of day. A plus about morning workouts is many of your neighbors might be watering their lawns, so you can run through their sprinklers to stay even cooler.

• Invest in some wicking clothes: Lightweight, breathable, wicking clothes are a must. They'll pull moisture away from your skin, so you really do feel cooler. Wearing a hat to keep the hot sun off your head and face also helps.
• Take a cold shower: I know it seems a little odd to shower before a workout, but the cold water will cool you down. 

For More Tips and the Original Article. 

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Top Notch Care Around the Corner

Erica L. Schwartz, DNP, MSN, CNM, wishes she could be a patient at her own clinic, Sheridan (Colo.) Health Services, a nurse-managed health center serving a low-income suburb of Denver. She believes the primary care there, provided by advanced practice nurses, is every bit as good as what she gets through her insurance, which does not cover care at Sheridan. What the nurse-run clinic offers that more traditional primary care does not, she said, is a strong wellness component.

With traditional care, “I go in if I have a problem, they address the problem and that’s it,” said Schwartz, executive director of Sheridan Health Services and assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver College of Nursing. “I’m just processed through.”

Since she doesn’t have any chronic health problems, she said, the system works OK for her. But she says her clinic — with its health education programs, prevention services and integrated providers — offers ideal care for any population. “I think it would be nice to have nurse-managed health centers be the norm as gatekeepers of primary care,” Schwartz said.

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How to Eat Healthy When Eating Out

The new year brings a lot of resolutions and for most, getting healthy is typically at the top of the list. Even though the beginning of a year has quickly slipped out of your fingers you still have plenty of year left to meet any of you healthy living new years resolutions. We know you’re a busy individual and you enjoy dinner out. The problem is finding healthy alternatives or making healthy choices when you’re faced with so many delicious meal options. Here are some great suggestions for learning to eat healthy when dining out.

Choose Simply Prepared Meals

One thing that is often difficult to determine is the amount of calories that go into secret sauces, especially when the sauce involves butter, oil and/or sugar. You can eliminate these unwanted, uncountable calories by choosing plain versions. Stick to a protein that is either grilled, steamed, broiled or poached. Choose poultry that is skinless and preferably white meat. A grilled chicken breast makes a perfect choice. If you would like, you can ask for a side of sauce, such as BBQ, for dipping. Dipping actually uses less calories, as you are only putting a little bit on each bite, as opposed to coating the entire serving.

Swap Out Starchy Vegetables

Choosing different vegetables, as the ones most often offered, can help reduce the amount of calories you consume. Skip the French fries and/or baked potato smothered in bacon, cheese and sour cream. Instead, choose a steamed vegetable, such as broccoli and eat your baked potato plain.

For More Tips and Original Blog.

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The Need for Total Alzheimer's Care Communities

In the future, will we see more senior communities devoted entirely to dementia care?

A reader’s comment on a recent post about a Wisconsin senior housing project raised the question: “It is especially interesting that one whole facility will be just a memory care center.”

The numbers certainly affirm the need: “By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million—a 40 percent increase from the 5 million age 65 and older currently affected. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or stop the disease.” (Source: Alzheimer’s Association’s 2013 Facts & Figures Report).

For the original blog and more.

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We Care Online Staff May Highlight - Debbie Kohlrus

This month we get to meet Debbie Kohlrus.

Debbie has worked in the healthcare field for the past 12 years.  In 2000, she received her CNA license and started working at an LTC facility.  She then went on to get her CMA in 2001, then her LPN license in 2002.   She  became quite passionate about the healthcare field very quickly and knew it was what she wanted to pursue as a career.

She has worked in a variety of areas that have given her much experience over the past 12  including an LTC facility for 4 years. She moved onto working at a VA clinic and got to enjoy a totally different aspect of nursing.  Later, she worked PRN in 12 different clinics at a local hospital.  This was a wonderful hands-on experience for many different areas in the nursing field.  She continued that for 5 years until she started working for WeCareOnline.

Debbie has been married for 8 years and has two wonderful girls, ages 3 & 7.  Her husband is an insurance agent.  Her # 1 thing to do outside of work is spending time with family. She grew up on a farm and loves being outdoors and going camping, fishing, and hunting.  She likes to cook and also enjoys making birthday/special occasion cakes for family and friends.  Debbie recently made 300 cupcakes for her sister’s wedding, which was quite the experience!  She also likes reading and gardening in her spare time.

Debbie's best advice to anyone pursuing a career in the healthcare field is not to give up!  Whether you choose to become a CNA or nurse, everyone plays a vital role in healthcare.  Don’t underestimate yourself and what you can do or become.  Set reasonable goals for yourself and don’t give up on achieving them.  

Debbie works as the sponsor coordinator for WeCareOnline and also assists with the CNA and CMA courses.  She corresponds with state to make sure each course we offer is approved and ready to go by the start of class.  She receives students’ enrollments and corresponds with them as needed.  She also schedules and manages state testing for CMA and CNA students.

Debbie loves every piece of artwork her children make, so her desk and surrounding walls are covered in her children’s masterpieces!  Her girls also got her a notepad that sings crazy songs when the pen is removed, so that keeps her quite entertained throughout the day.

Senator Supports Home Health Care

Recently, U.S. Senator Susan Collins [R-ME] wrote an article for the St. John Valley Times touting the importance of home care.

In her article, she points out the importance of shifting our health care focus from institutional care to home-based care.  She also discusses that not only is home care preferred by most patients, it’s also the most affordable means of care delivery.

Senator Collins goes on to say, “It costs Medicare almost $2,000 per day for a typical hospital stay, and $559 per day for a typical nursing home stay.  How much does Medicare pay for home care?  Just $44 a day…slightly more than two percent of the cost of a typical hospital day.”

In the article, Senator Collins expresses her concern about the cuts that home health could see under the new health care law.  She says, “While home health represents just five percent of Medicare spending, it took a disproportionate 10 percent in Medicare payment cuts used to pay for the new health entitlement.  Moreover, these cuts are a ‘double whammy’ because they come on top of the more than $30 billion in cuts that have been imposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services through regulation.”

For More and the Original Blog.

Learn what it takes to become a home health aide.

LPNs Beyond the Bedside

I (Tina Lanciault) spend time in nursing forums answering questions that other nurses may have about alternative careers and I came across a nurse who was asking about forensic nursing. She is an LPN and wanted to know if there were any forensic LPN nurses who were working in this field and how could she get a job in forensic nursing. It struck me when she said, “Forensic LPN.” That statement inspired me to write about LPN nursing careers.

Just for the record, LPN or LVN are also nurses; their role is slightly different but they are still valuable to the nursing profession and very much needed.

So when I’m talking about alternative nursing careers I am also talking to LPNs/LVNs.

You, as an LPN, can work in holistic nursing, forensic nursing or be an entrepreneur. There are even LPNs who do legal nurse consulting. Most nursing specialties include LPNs with the exception of those nurses in advance nursing practices such as nurse practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist and those nursing jobs that require a BSN, masters or doctorate.

Anything else is up for grabs for an LPN/LVN.



For More and the Original Blog.


Why not find out what it takes to become a Health Unit Coordinator.

I spend time in nursing forums answering questions that other nurses may have about alternative careers and I came across a nurse who was asking about forensic nursing. She is an LPN and wanted to know if there were any forensic LPN nurses who were working in this field and how could she get a job in forensic nursing. It struck me when she said, “Forensic LPN.” That statement inspired me to write about LPN nursing careers.
Just for the record, LPN or LVN are also nurses; their role is slightly different but they are still valuable to the nursing profession and very much needed.
So when I’m talking about alternative nursing careers I am also talking to LPNs/LVNs.
You, as an LPN, can work in holistic nursing, forensic nursing or be an entrepreneur. There are even LPNs who do legal nurse consulting. Most nursing specialties include LPNs with the exception of those nurses in advance nursing practices such as nurse practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist and those nursing jobs that require a BSN, masters or doctorate.
Anything else is up for grabs for an LPN/LVN.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/lpn-beyond-the-bedside#sthash.Uh1hjR5U.dpuf

Celebrate Nurses Week 2013

The American Nurses Association marks this year’s National Nurses Week, May 6-12, with the theme "Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care."

Patients benefit from nurses’ leadership roles in improving quality, the ANA noted in a news release. For example, RNs serve as designated innovation advisors for national healthcare programs seeking to develop more effective treatment and prevention strategies and reduce costs.

"Using their knowledge, compassion and skills, nurses work to help individuals maintain and improve their health, educate them about their treatment and care for their bodies and minds throughout the lifespan," ANA President Karen A. Daley, RN, PhD, FAAN, said in the news release.

"This year we’re recognizing nurses’ impact on elevating the quality of care through innovation and using data to devise more effective care strategies. This work contributes to our ultimate goal: better-quality healthcare for all."

For More and the Original Blog.

Now is a great time to learn to become a Certified Nurse Aide.

Nutrition Tips for Those with Alzheimer's

Regular, nutritious meals may become a challenge for people with dementia.

As a person's cognitive function declines, he or she may become overwhelmed with too many food choices, forget to eat or have difficulty with eating utensils.

• Nutrition tips
• Make mealtimes easier
• Encourage independence
• Minimize eating and nutrition problems

Proper nutrition is important to keep the body strong and healthy. For a person with Alzheimer's or dementia, poor nutrition may increase behavioral symptoms and cause weight loss.
The basic nutrition tips below can help boost the person with dementia's health and your health as a caregiver, too.

• Provide a balanced diet with a variety of foods.
  Offer vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein foods.
• Limit foods with high saturated fat and cholesterol.
  Some fat is essential for health — but not all fats are equal. Go light on fats that are bad for heart health, such as butter, solid shortening, lard and fatty cuts of meats.
• Cut down on refined sugars.

Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp#ixzz2R952bxXT

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