Your Strongest Friendship May Be a Long Distance One

1. Time together is so special.

We see one another so rarely that any time together is a gift. There is no room for small spats or any kind of conflict because every minute that goes by is another minute till we have to say goodbye again. Every second counts. We are so cautious never to waste time on anything but loving, supporting and listening to one another.

2. We’re really comfortable with the fact that we have other friends.

I have had friends in the past who need constant reassurance that I like them best of all. I have been that friend a lot, too, in some of my friendships, but never with any of my faraway friends. When you’re in a long-distance friendship, you can’t expect that from somebody. Of course we have other friends. Thank god you have other friends. There’s no need to constantly confirm our definitive friend ranking because we know that long-distance friends are on a different list altogether.

3. There is a bigger freedom for growth.

When I met my best friend, we both had braces and bad taste in music.

For More and Original Article.

Ready to take a Medical Terminology Class?

The Easiest Way to Put the Healthies Foods in Your Normal Routine

Healthy Food #1: Lemons

Why They're Healthy:
— Just one lemon has more than 100 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C, which may help increase "good" HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones.
— Citrus flavonoids found in lemons may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.
Quick Tip:
Add a slice of lemon to your green tea. One study found that citrus increases your body's ability to absorb the antioxidants in the tea by about 80 percent.
 

Healthy Food #2: Broccoli

Why It's Healthy:
— One medium stalk of broccoli contains more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin K requirement and almost 200 percent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C — two essential bone-building nutrients.
— The same serving also helps stave off numerous cancers.
Quick Tip:
Zap it! Preserve up to 90 percent of broccoli's vitamin C by microwaving. (Steaming or boiling holds on to just 66 percent of the nutrient.)

For More and Original Article

Learn how to become a Certified Nurse Aide

Turn Your Goals Into "If/Then" Statements

With any goal, pitfalls are usually inevitable. You want to eat healthier but your coworker brings cupcakes. You want to save money but your car needs work. To stay ahead of setbacks, give your goal an if-then plan.

We’ve talked about this concept before in terms of building your willpower. To connect the impulsive part of your brain with the calm, methodical part, use an if-then statement to control your behavior. For example, you might say, “if I feel angry, then I will count to ten.” It’s a simple example, but you get the idea.

Similarly, you can use if-then statements to safeguard your ambitious goals against any potential setbacks. As O Magazine editor Jihan Thompson puts it:

“Ambitious plans are commendable (‘I’m going to lose 30 pounds this year!’), but they don’t account for inevitable roadblocks. If you want to have a fighting chance at sticking to your resolutions, you would do well to develop if-then plans: if someone brings cupcakes or pizza or candy to work, then I….”

For More and Original article.

Learn today how you can enter the healthcare industry at: www.wecareonlineclasses.com

Tuition Reimbursement Winner for December

Congratulations, Maria! 

Maria is our Tuition Reimbursement Winner for December! 

She will be getting a refund from us soon. You could be next!

"My name is Maria D. I'am 23 years old. I'am married and I have two daughters. I took this Nurse Aide Course because I want to help others that need my help. We Care Online providing reimbursement to me is a great benefit for my family and I." - Maria D.

Students registered for a Nurse Aide course will automatically be placed in a monthly drawing to win reimbursement of their course tuition. The monthly drawings will choose one student to win a reimbursement.

If you want to know how to get in on this Click Here for more information.

Remember, before you can win, you have to register and pay for a Nurse Aide course - See our course catalog Click Here.

Or go to our website Click Here.

Tuition Reimbursement Winner for November

Congratulations, Shaunte! 

Shaunte is our Tuition Reimbursement Winner for November! 

His facility will be getting a refund from us soon. You could be next!

"Hi everyone! My name is Shaunte'. I'm 24 years old and am from Belle Fourche, SD. I currently work in Spearfish, SD. I'm working as an RA for the next few weeks as I train for my CNA license so I can familiarize myself with the residents, employees and facility. I'll start working as a CNA upon completion. I'll go to school this next year at WDT out of Rapid City, SD to become an LPN. I've worked in assisted living facilities since I was 18 and immediately knew it was my calling so I am excited to take it one step further into a career I am so passionate about. 

      This class has been a great help in bettering my knowledge in the field of becoming a nursing assistant. It's very thorough yet still easy to understand. I've already learned many new things and am confident that once I have completed this course I will walk away from it being the best nursing assistant I am capable of. Bonnie has been an amazing help in always answering my questions efficiently and giving helpful advice. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity.
       
 Thank you!" - Shaunte P.

Students registered for a Nurse Aide course will automatically be placed in a monthly drawing to win reimbursement of their course tuition. The monthly drawings will choose one student to win a reimbursement.

If you want to know how to get in on this Click Here for more information.

Remember, before you can win, you have to register and pay for a Nurse Aide course - See our course catalog Click Here.

Or go to our website Click Here.

What to Do if You Suspect Elder Abuse

We love to read heartwarming stories about devoted caregivers and thriving seniors. When we look at seniors who are well cared for, we think, “Of course – that’s the way it should be.”

Unfortunately, the good stories don’t tell the whole tale of senior care in the United States. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), 1 out of 10 seniors is a victim of abuse. What’s more, elder abuse is typically underreported. The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study estimates that only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever comes to the attention of authorities.
Here, NCEA Deputy Director Julie Schoen offers tips on how to intervene in cases of suspected elder abuse.

What Is Elder Abuse?

“Elder abuse takes many forms,” says Schoen. The major categories of mistreatment include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Elder abuse can happen at the hands of a trusted friend or family member (domestic abuse), or it can be perpetrated by caregivers at a senior care facility (institutional abuse).

For More and Original Article. 

Become a Social Services Designee.

8 Ways to Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural.
Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that you need to start.
4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer.
- See more at: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=7582#sthash.cd2W8KUz.dpuf

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural.
Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that you need to start.
4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer.
- See more at: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=7582#sthash.cd2W8KUz.dpuf

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural.
Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that you need to start.
4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer.
- See more at: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=7582#sthash.cd2W8KUz.dpuf

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural.
Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that you need to start.
4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer.
- See more at: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=7582#sthash.cd2W8KUz.dpuf

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural.
Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that you need to start.
4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer.
- See more at: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=7582#sthash.cd2W8KUz.dpuf

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural.
Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that you need to start.
4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer.
- See more at: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=7582#sthash.cd2W8KUz.dpuf

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s natural.

Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.

But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.

1. Keep Weight in Check
It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.

2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.

3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol
Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that you need to start.

4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer.

- See more at: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=7582#sthash.cd2W8KUz.dpuf

Become a Home Health Aide.

Tuition Reimbursement Winner for August

Congratulations, Haley! 

Haley is our Tuition Reimbursement Winner for August! 

Tuition Reimbursement Winner August

She will be getting a refund from us soon. You could be next!

"My name is Haley. I live in a small town with my boyfriend and my 2 adorable cats. I wanted to take this CNA course to get more patient care experience and to try to make a difference. I think it is absolutely wonderful that We Care Online does a drawing for Tuition Reimbursement for this course because now I can put it towards furthering my education! I had an amazing instructor and I would choose We Care Online if I had a chance to do it again!! I want to thank We Care Online and hope everyone has a chance to take a course through this website!" - Haley C.

Students registered for a Nurse Aide course will automatically be placed in a monthly drawing to win reimbursement of their course tuition. The monthly drawings will choose one student to win a reimbursement.

If you want to know how to get in on this Click Here for more information.

Remember, before you can win, you have to register and pay for a Nurse Aide course - See our course catalog Click Here.

Or go to our website Click Here.

Highly Successful Habits of Nursing School Students

Whether you are going back to school or you are starting your nursing program, there are certain things you can do to ensure your success. Most people do not go into their program with a strategy in mind. In this short article, there are 10 habits you can implement to help you get through the program and enjoy the process.

Nursing School is a great goal and it is one you will cherish. Even though you will have to study, let’s look at ways you can make the most of this time so you can ace the exams and really learn the material.

Highly successful nursing students engage in these 10 habits.

1. Make a commitment to your program.

Understand why you want to get your degree and write it out. Will it advance your career, give you greater opportunities to teach, allow you to travel the country?  Know the reason you are going to school and keep this in the forefront of your mind to keep you going through the tough times.

2. Master your energy and your time.

Be careful of the time wasters and the energy drains. Spending too much time on social media is actually a drain and can definitely chew up the time you need to study.

- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/habits-of-successful-nursing-students#sthash.iQTJ4DEt.dpuf

Want to take the first step before nursing school? Become a Certified Nurse Assistant.

Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Accelerated?

Fatty acid deposits in the brain may contribute significantly to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease, researchers discovered in a recent study.


The discovery supports the theory that Alzheimer's disease is a metabolic brain disease similar to obesity and diabetes being peripheral metabolic diseases. Researchers suggest treatments for obesity that are under development could prove useful against Alzheimer's disease as well.

"We discovered that these fatty acids are produced by the brain -- that they build up slowly with normal aging -- but that the process is accelerated significantly in the presence of genes that predispose to Alzheimer's disease," said Karl Fernandes, a professor at the University of Montreal, in a press release. "In mice predisposed to the disease, we showed that these fatty acids accumulate very early on, at two months of age, which corresponds to the early twenties in humans. Therefore, we think that the build-up of fatty acids is not a consequence but rather a cause or accelerator of the disease."


For More and Original Article

Learn what it takes to become a certified Mental Health Aide.

Tuition Reimbursement Winner for July

Congratulations, Dora! 

Dora is our Tuition Reimbursement Winner for July! 

Dora, Tuition Reimbursement winner for July

Her facility will be getting a refund from us soon. You could be next!

"I'm a mom of 8 kids and work as a CNA. I enjoyed the course because it allowed me to flexible and do it at my own pace." - Dora H.

Students registered for a Nurse Aide course will automatically be placed in a monthly drawing to win reimbursement of their course tuition. The monthly drawings will choose one student to win a reimbursement.

If you want to know how to get in on this Click Here for more information.

Remember, before you can win, you have to register and pay for a Nurse Aide course - See our course catalog Click Here.

Or go to our website Click Here.

Do you know who needs immunizations in your family?

According to http://healthfinder.gov/nho/  August is National Immunization Awareness Month.

Immunization helps people of all ages prevent dangerous and oftentimes deadly diseases. Kids aren't the only ones who need shots. Adults need to stay protected against serious illnesses like the flu, measles, and pneumonia.

Now is a great time to promote vaccines and help family, friends, and coworkers to keep up to date on their shots.

How can National Immunization Awareness Month make a difference?

Use August to spread awareness about vaccination information, the need for people of all ages to be vaccinated, and  to share ways to increase immunization rates within our own communities.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Speak with friends and family and educate about how vaccines aren’t just for kids. People of all ages can get shots to protect them from serious diseases.
• Remind people in your community, young and old, to get the flu vaccine every year.

For Original article and more information:  http://healthfinder.gov/nho/

Learn how you can impact other people's healthcare by becoming a home health aide.

CNA's: Put On Your Game Face

Guest Post: Melanie Fischer, RN

What does it mean to be a CNA? 

Wow, that is a pretty wide open question. We can go down so many different paths as far as subject content goes.  However, I would like address how a CNA should conduct themselves.

First, let's take the title-CNA, which stands for Certified Nurse Aide.  As a CNA, you assist the nurse in patient or resident care, helping them with their every day needs.  States vary widely in certification curriculum, instructional hours, and CNA duties.  However, the overall picture is, you are one of the caretakers. 

A CNA must care for the resident in a kind, caring, and loving manner.  A good CNA puts others needs ahead of their own, including frustrations over their personal and work lives.  Don’t let your personal frustrations interfere when you are with your resident.  Please leave your troubles and crisis at the door when you come to work.  We all have a heavy burden to carry in our personal lives but when we arrive at work, our purpose should be solely devoted to the residents right in front of us. 

What I am trying to say is this: “put your game face on.”  Trust me, I realize this is difficult. But if we all work together to do this, our jobs would mean so much more to our patients. Our residents certainly deserve that. 

Keep in mind, our residents are paying us to take care of them!  If you pay for a service - whether it be in a restaurant or otherwise, how do you expect to be treated? What do you expect from the service?  That is eye opening when you really think about it.

Be the example and set the bar high. See how many co-workers you can encourage to start following in your footsteps.  Remember, it can all begin with you.  Use this motto in your everyday life as well!  You would be surprised how you’re life changes for the better! 

• Be Positive 
• Be Kind
• Be Honest
• Be Respectful
• Be Giving
• Be Polite
• Be Caring
• Be Flexible
• Be complimentary
• Be a good leader
• Be appreciative
• Be Thankful
• Be Empathetic

One aspect that I often hear from student CNA’s is the misconception of the true picture of the hard work it is to be a CNA.  Being a CNA can be exhausting physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Don’t get me wrong, it is so rewarding. But with the strains of the work, a CNA needs to stay on the positive side of life and don’t forget to keep the humor.  I’m not talking about making fun of others but having fun with the residents.  Laughter is the best medicine and it doesn’t come with a price tag.

A CNA devotes his or her working hours to the people they are caring for.  Give it 110%.  I like to tell CNA’s, negativity spreads like wildfire.  Keep it positive!  Conduct yourself with the highest of integrity!  See the best in the day, in the resident, in the facility, and in your co-workers!   

Melanie Fischer, RN 

CNA/CMA Director

Register for one of Melanie'c classes

Living with Parkinson's

Cognitive Impairment

Another troublesome symptom of Parkinson’s is mild cognitive impairment. Many people with Parkinson’s are surprised to find that they feel distracted or disorganized, or have difficulty planning and carrying through tasks. It may be harder to focus in situations that divide their attention, like a group conversation. When facing a task or situation on their own, a person with PD may feel overwhelmed by having to make choices. They may also have difficulty remembering information, or have trouble finding the right words when speaking. For some people these changes are merely annoying, for others they interfere with work or with managing household affairs. 

To some degree, cognitive impairment affects most people with Parkinson’s. The same brain changes that lead to motor symptoms can also result in slowness in memory and thinking...Read more here

Nurse Assistants: Unsung Heroes in the Healthcare Industry

Always on the first day of National Nursing Assistants Week, it is National Career Nurse Assistants Day. This day is set aside to recognize the nursing assistants who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others for 5 to as many as 58 years.

Nursing assistants many times work in hospitals and nursing homes performing everyday living tasks for the elderly, chronically ill or rehabilitation patients who cannot care for themselves.  A more in-depth training and qualification that covers a wider scope of responsibility is indicated by government certification.  The state distributes these certification exams and the classes to study for them are offered by the American Red Cross as well as other providers.

On this day, we want to THANK these people for the wonderful job that they do and the very special care that they give to those in need. 

NATIONAL CAREER NURSE ASSISTANTS DAY HISTORY

National Career Nurse Assistants Day, an “unofficial” National holiday, is sponsored by the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants.

For More and Original Article.
Learn how you can become a Certified Nurse Assistant.

Tuition Reimbursement Winner for May

Congratulations, Hannah! 

Hannah is our Tuition Reimbursement Winner for May! 

She will be getting a refund from us soon. You could be next!

"My name is Hannah. I have three sisters one being my twin sister. I am a prenursing student at Wichita state and am applying for the nursing program for the spring semester. I am so appreciative for this reimbursement!! I just moved into a house and this will help for this years tuition!"
- Hannah S.

Students registered for a Nurse Aide course will automatically be placed in a monthly drawing to win reimbursement of their course tuition. The monthly drawings will choose one student to win a reimbursement.

If you want to know how to get in on this Click Here for more information.

Remember, before you can win, you have to register and pay for a Nurse Aide course - See our course catalog Click Here.

Or go to our website Click Here.

Celebrate Nursing Assistant Week, June 11-18, 2015

Now as never before, attention is being directed to care of our elder and disabled citizens and greater attention also is directed to the workers who provide hands-on-care and caring.
The 38th annual National Nursing Assistants’ Week provides a timely opportunity to foster and showcase the wonderful things that can happen for residents and workers when we join together in planning your special Week, “Nursing Assistants @ the Heart of Care.”

Fun projects can also be educational. NA Week Projects for 2015 include Recognition events, Mayor Proclamations, memos to families and news releases; and also includes Person Centered  Care Programs such as “Partnerships: Meeting the Future with Skill and Confidence;”   We also continue the focus on Safe Lifting and decreasing worker injuries.
In order to make a difference, we need to seek out and involve our role models, peers, supervisors, clients, families, community, legislators, public policy officials, media and others.

For More and Original Article.

Learn how you can start your career as a Nurse Assistant today.

WeCareOnline May Staff Highlight - Debbie Kohlrus

This month we get to meet Debbie Kohlrus.

Debbie has worked in the healthcare field for the past 14 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 14 years including working in 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 10 years and has two wonderful girls.  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 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.

What You Can Learn from a Healthy Relationship

“Healthy relationship” seems like a clinical term. Like a tonic or a remedy, it gives the illusion of something used to cure the clinically insane and depraved.

But isn’t a relationship a sort of cure? Aren’t we all a little bit crazy? Isn’t love a medicine for our aching souls? Isn’t a healthy relationship the one tonic we can’t wait to drink?

Healthy relationships are, indeed, a type of medicine. They calm us and heal us. They teach us how to love and make us strong.

They are a healing elixir after all the placebos and toxins. They are the answer to all the unhealthy relationships we’ve been drinking for years.

So what do you learn when you’ve finally taken the right dose? When you’ve finally experienced what it’s like to be in something healthy and right for a change?

Like dying and being reborn again, you learn everything for a second time. You learn what love means and what it doesn’t.

For More and Original Article. 

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Alzheimer's and Dementia Part 1 of 4

For this Alzheimer's and Dementia four part series we'll be looking at what our Nurse Aide course has to say about these illnesses that are associated with many of our aging residents.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive fatal illness that causes areas of the brain to shrink. The resulting symptoms start with memory loss and other cognitive deficits, advancing to major personality changes and eventual loss of control over bodily functions.

While some of us experience mild memory losses with aging, people with Alzheimer's have a more noticeable and rapid decline in memory and other cognitive skills. Learn the signs and symptoms to help you decide if its time to seek help for yourself or a loved one showing symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's

When Alzheimer's disease begins to destroy brain cells, no outward symptoms are evident. After a while, small memory lapses appear and grow more serious. The afflicted individual may forget the names of familiar people or places, the words to express what they want to say, or the location of everyday objects.

As the memory lapses of early Alzheimer's become more serious, other cognitive deficits and behavior problems develop:

Typical signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease 

• General confusion, disorientation to date, time or place
• Apathy, irritability, depression, anxiety 
• Problems with language, math, abstract thinking, and judgment 
• Personality changes with strange quirks or inappropriate behaviors 
• Wandering, hiding objects, problems with eating and sleeping 
• Late in the disease, paranoia and delusions may occur 
• Toward the end, total loss of self, and inability to control bodily functions 

While these are the major symptoms of Alzheimer's, not all patients have all these symptoms. However, it is good to be aware of the most typical warning signs, as it is important to recognize problems early, and get help for them. Are people with Alzheimer's aware of their signs and symptoms?

People with Alzheimer's show a range of responses to their own behavior and condition:

• Denial (in the early stages)
• Blame others for making them look ridiculous 
• Complete self-awareness (I'm sorry, I have Alzheimer's) 
• Frustration, agitation, rage 
• Vacant despair, with no apparent recognition that they were once a different person 

By the middle stage of Alzheimer's, most victims no longer are aware that they don't remember things or aren't communicating coherently. This is fortunate for them. In a safe environment with good care and social contact, most Alzheimer's patients seem relatively free of suffering. For their friends and relatives it's a different story: the long steady decline of their loved one is painful to watch. The demands of Alzheimer's care also take a toll, over the many years before inevitable death. Depression is more common among the caregivers of Alzheimer's patients than it is among the patients themselves.

The Main Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
Early-stage Alzheimer's (Mild)	Mid-stage Alzheimer's (Moderate)	Late-stage Alzheimer's (Severe)
Memory loss or other cognitive deficits are noticeable, yet the person can compensate for them and continue to function independently.	Mental abilities decline, the personality changes, and physical problems develop so that the person becomes more and more dependent on caregivers.	Complete deterioration of the personality and loss of control over bodily functions requires total dependence on others for even the most basic activities of daily living.

Memory loss or other cognitive deficits are noticeable, yet the person can compensate for them and continue to function independently.

Mental abilities decline, the personality changes, and physical problems develop so that the person becomes more and more dependent on caregivers.

Complete deterioration of the personality and loss of control over bodily functions requires total dependence on others for even the most basic activities of daily living.

People vary in the length of time spent in each stage, and in which stage the signs and symptoms appear. Because the stages overlap, it is difficult to definitively place a person in a particular stage. However, the progression is always toward a worsening of symptoms. The stages identify groups of symptoms that reflect more and more brain decay and increasing dependence on caregivers. The end result of Alzheimer's is death, whether caused by the inability of the brain to keep the body going, or by another disease or injury along the way.

No matter what stage the individual is in at the time of diagnosis, apathy is a major problem from the beginning to the very end. More than forty per cent of people in early-stage Alzheimer's show a lack of interest, initiative, and emotional involvement. In the last stage of Alzheimer's, more than ninety per cent of people are apathetic.

-Next week we'll look at the Early-stage Alzheimer's Signs and Symptoms.