What Scrubs Style is Best for your Body Type?

There are four basic body types. Knowing your type is imperative in creating the right look. Many people differentiate these shapes by using fruit as examples. I don’t really like to think of myself as a pear, even though I might have the shape of one. Therefore, I won’t be mentioning any type of fruit in this article!

Not sure about your shape? Take a good look in the mirror without your clothes on.
1. Are you busty/large chest with broad shoulders?
2. Do you have narrow shoulders and carry more weight in your hips and thighs?
3. Are you athletic, fairly slim, and narrow through the torso?
4. Do you have curves both in the bust and hips with a narrow waist?

These are four of the most common basic body shapes. Of course, no one fits exactly into these categories, but you should see some kind of resemblance to one of these types.

No matter what “shape” you are, please see the beauty in your body. Many people have adopted a critical voice that often compares their bodies to those of celebrities on TV, in film and in magazines. And – having worked in TV for years and having seen hundreds of actors in their underwear – here’s the dirty little secret I can tell you: They dress to showcase their greatest assets. They have professional designers find the right clothes to make them look and feel fabulous. That’s what I’m here for…think of me as your personal designer, here to help YOU look and feel fabulous. So let’s connect your body type to the best scrubs to buy and wear!

Body Type 1
If you are Body Type 1 (busty/large chest with broad shoulders), try to steer away from wearing tight tops.

 For the rest of the tips and original article.

Learn about what online classes you can take at WeCareOnline.

Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent. - See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.HjBrIjzr.dpuf

Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.HjBrIjzr.dpuf

Our goal as nurses is to inspire confidence in our patients, colleagues and the public. One way we inspire confidence or cause concern is by what we wear. We like to express our individuality, but we need to be mindful of how we express ourselves in the work environment. You can use this few fashion tips for nurses to be considered as a competent professional right from the beginning of your career.
I once worked with a woman who looked like Barbie – really. Her hair was big and blond, her make-up thick and bold, and her cleavage available for everyone’s viewing pleasure. To make things worse, aside from looking inappropriate as a bedside nurse, she was close to retirement age!
Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.HjBrIjzr.dpuf

Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.HjBrIjzr.dpuf a

Our goal as nurses is to inspire confidence in our patients, colleagues and the public. One way we inspire confidence or cause concern is by what we wear. We like to express our individuality, but we need to be mindful of how we express ourselves in the work environment. You can use this few fashion tips for nurses to be considered as a competent professional right from the beginning of your career.
I once worked with a woman who looked like Barbie – really. Her hair was big and blond, her make-up thick and bold, and her cleavage available for everyone’s viewing pleasure. To make things worse, aside from looking inappropriate as a bedside nurse, she was close to retirement age!
Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.HjBrIjzr.dpuf

Our goal as nurses is to inspire confidence in our patients, colleagues and the public. One way we inspire confidence or cause concern is by what we wear. We like to express our individuality, but we need to be mindful of how we express ourselves in the work environment. You can use this few fashion tips for nurses to be considered as a competent professional right from the beginning of your career.
I once worked with a woman who looked like Barbie – really. Her hair was big and blond, her make-up thick and bold, and her cleavage available for everyone’s viewing pleasure. To make things worse, aside from looking inappropriate as a bedside nurse, she was close to retirement age!
Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.HjBrIjzr.dpufa

Our goal as nurses is to inspire confidence in our patients, colleagues and the public. One way we inspire confidence or cause concern is by what we wear. We like to express our individuality, but we need to be mindful of how we express ourselves in the work environment. You can use this few fashion tips for nurses to be considered as a competent professional right from the beginning of your career.
I once worked with a woman who looked like Barbie – really. Her hair was big and blond, her make-up thick and bold, and her cleavage available for everyone’s viewing pleasure. To make things worse, aside from looking inappropriate as a bedside nurse, she was close to retirement age!
Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.VZydtOfe.dpuf

Our goal as nurses is to inspire confidence in our patients, colleagues and the public. One way we inspire confidence or cause concern is by what we wear. We like to express our individuality, but we need to be mindful of how we express ourselves in the work environment. You can use this few fashion tips for nurses to be considered as a competent professional right from the beginning of your career.
I once worked with a woman who looked like Barbie – really. Her hair was big and blond, her make-up thick and bold, and her cleavage available for everyone’s viewing pleasure. To make things worse, aside from looking inappropriate as a bedside nurse, she was close to retirement age!
Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.VZydtOfe.dpuf

Our goal as nurses is to inspire confidence in our patients, colleagues and the public. One way we inspire confidence or cause concern is by what we wear. We like to express our individuality, but we need to be mindful of how we express ourselves in the work environment. You can use this few fashion tips for nurses to be considered as a competent professional right from the beginning of your career.
I once worked with a woman who looked like Barbie – really. Her hair was big and blond, her make-up thick and bold, and her cleavage available for everyone’s viewing pleasure. To make things worse, aside from looking inappropriate as a bedside nurse, she was close to retirement age!
Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.1LhzLbio.dpuf

Our goal as nurses is to inspire confidence in our patients, colleagues and the public. One way we inspire confidence or cause concern is by what we wear. We like to express our individuality, but we need to be mindful of how we express ourselves in the work environment. You can use this few fashion tips for nurses to be considered as a competent professional right from the beginning of your career.
I once worked with a woman who looked like Barbie – really. Her hair was big and blond, her make-up thick and bold, and her cleavage available for everyone’s viewing pleasure. To make things worse, aside from looking inappropriate as a bedside nurse, she was close to retirement age!
Although she was a good nurse, nobody initially believed it – not even her patients. Initially, some of her patients even asked to have a different nurse. Why? How could they tell if she was a competent or incompetent nurse within the first five minutes of meeting her? The answer is – They couldn’t. However, just based on her appearance, they made an assumption that she was incompetent.
Another nurse I worked with was in a management position. Her hair was clean cut, she used minimal make-up, her uniform was nicely pressed and her nails were short and clean. But, her shoes were filthy! It looked as though she bought an old pair of nursing shoes and just kept trying to polish over them. They looked mottled and gray. Although, from the ankles up, she conveyed a sense of confidence, one look at her feet and you were questioning her competence.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-fashion-tips-for-nurses#sthash.1LhzLbio.dpuf

No Time for Exercise? Try These Tips

You found your keys. You found the motivation to clean out your closet. Now you’ve got to find 30 minutes in your day to get physically active — and there are plenty of easy, no-cost ways to do it.
Think you don’t have time? You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at once.

You’ll get the same benefits if you divide your time into two or three 10- to 15-minute segments a day.

“Building physical activity back into our daily lives is one of the great public health challenges of this century,” said Russell Pate, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Exercise at the University of South Carolina. “Our bodies were designed to be physically active, and they don’t do well with long-term exposure to sedentary living.  Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”

Here are some of Dr. Pate’s tips for getting active:

1. Get out the leash and walk your dog. It’s a great activity for both man and man’s best friend. Your heart — and your pooch — will thank you!
2. Take your child for a brisk walk. It’s an excellent way to get some one-on-one time (or one-on-three, depending on the size of your brood.) Spice up your routine by exploring new neighborhoods or turning your walk into a scavenger hunt.
3. Mall walk. Are you sweating (or shivering) at the idea of walking outside? Take a brisk stroll around your local mall instead. Window shop, people watch and give your heart a workout in a climate-controlled environment.

Read More and the Original Article.

Now is a good time to start classes to become a Restorative Aide.

Summer Ideas for Activities Directors

Here are some great tips from Notjustbingo.com:
 
Host fun evening events for your residents like Family Game Night (May 8), in which residents play fun games like Checkers, Scrabble, and Dominoes; Cannes Film Festival Night (May 17), in which residents watch a fun recently released movie; Senior Prom (May 28), in which residents get into the Prom season by dressing up for a fun dance; and Official State Dinner (May 31), in which residents attend a tasty dinner that comprises food from your state.

In addition, consider inviting vendors and speakers to come to your facility during May. For instance, invite an eye doctor to give eye tests to your residents during this Healthy Vision Month (Eye Exam on May 14), invite a speaker to speak about osteoporosis during this National Osteoporosis Prevention Month (Speaker Series on May 29), or ask your facility's nurse to talk to your residents during National Nurses Week (Nurse's Notes on May 9).

As summertime arrives, be sure to add plenty of activities to keep your residents hydrated. For instance, host fun afternoon socials like a Popsicle Social on June 21, a Watermelon Social on June 26, or an Italian Ice Truck Social on June 24.
Additionally, coordinate fun summertime crafts for residents throughout June, like Crafts: Sun Mosaics (June 2), making mosaics of the sun, Crafts: Sandy Fish (June 9), using beach sand, or Crafts: Daisy Chain Necklaces (June 30), stringing daisies to make pretty summer necklaces.


Learn what it takes to become an Activities Director at WeCareOnline.

We Care Online April Staff Highlight - Amanda Quelland

This month we get to meet Amanda Quelland.

Amanda has worked in the healthcare field for 12 years. From a young age she knew she wanted to have job where she could help people. 

Amanda has a doctorate in pharmacy and completed a pharmacy practice residency at the University of Arizona Medical Center.  She works on the cardiac unit and cardiac intensive care as a clinical pharmacist.  

Amanda and her husband have 3 young children who keep them busy. She enjoys playing the piano and reading.  As well, she likes to do Sudoku puzzles and logic puzzles.

 Everyone at WeCareOnline plays an important role in helping students have the best online learning experience possible. Amanda is the instructor for the Pharmacy Technician course and also the Medication Aide course for Montana.
  
Amanda has noticed that over the years pharmacy practice has changed to give pharmacists and pharmacy technicians more responsibilities and they have become more involved with the healthcare team.  With pharmacies on every corner, pharmacists are easily accessible to the public and can give out valuable information and help people make general healthcare decisions. 
 

Bucket List for Nurses

I don’t know about any of you but it’s extremely important for me to be happy and to have a fun filled life. When I think about how hard we work as nurses, and the hours we dedicate to others, it’s overwhelming. Isn’t it time for us to take care of ourselves, too?

Can we allow ourselves a two minute break to assess our own well-being? How many of us actually do that?Hobbies, friends and vacations rank at the top of my bucket list, not to mention quiet time to just sit and do nothing but reflect and ponder.  Sometimes as I am taking a solitary walk or soaking in a tub filled with bubbles, I plan my next move. My thought process is clear and uninterrupted during those moments. I can close my eyes and decide what will come next in my life. Remember, “What we think about, we bring about.” (From the Secret)

Now, to you this may not count as a bucket list. Some people view bucket lists as end of life, last chance events. I don’t. And I also don’t think of bucket lists as action filled, life altering adventures. I prefer to keep my heart rate and blood pressure fairly stable, much to my husband’s dismay.   

I don’t like fast rides at amusement parks, scuba diving or jumping out of air planes. I would never get on the back of a motorcycle, no matter who was driving. I like what I like and that’s OK.Oh, sure, someday I’d like to travel to Africa. I would also like to serve a humanitarian mission and I’d like to move to a warmer climate in my old age (ions from now).     

For the rest of this NurseTogether blog. 

Learn what it takes to become a Healthcare Unit Coordinator.

Which Registration Process Do I Use?

Unsure Which Registration Process to Use?

Following is an short explanation of what the registration buttons do.

The Facility Registration Button

If you are a facility registering a student, you can choose this option.  This registration allows a facility to keep track of the employees they have registered and which classes have been taken. It also allows a facility to be invoiced for the cost of the course. Payments can also be made via the payment system using a credit or debit card.  Echecks are also accepted.

The Student Registration Button

Students registering for a course on their own should use this option.  This process allows the student to choose the course and the payment method.  The Student Registration process gives students the option to pay immediately, or to make payments on the course they are taking.  (Remember! Courses must be paid in full BEFORE the class starts!)

The Browse Courses Button

If you are not sure which class you want to take, you can choose this option to browse what courses are available in your state.  After finding the course you want, you'll see a Registration Button on that course page.

Access Your Account Button

If you ever need to go back to make another payment, print a receipt, or even check to see what courses you have taken, this is the button for you.  You can enter your username and password to see information regarding your account.

We sincerely hope that this changeover will be easy for all of our customers.  Please feel free to give us a call with any questions.  We will be more than happy to walk you through the process if needed.

1-888-932-2501

Tips to Improve and Maintain Your Eyesight

It’s easy to take your eyesight for granted but it is a sense that you should work diligently to protect. Like most things, your eyesight is something you don’t really notice until its gone—which is something you want to keep from happening for as long as possible. Here are some of the best ways to do that.

Start Early
The earlier you start working to keep your eyes healthy, the more likely you will be to reduce your risk of problems later on. Luckily, the steps you need to be taking in your daily life are, for the most part, the same things you need to do to keep the rest of your body healthy as well. Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is low in saturated fats but that contains a good amount of unsaturated fat. Eat lots of fruits and veggies. Get regular exercise to increase blood flow and improve your circulation. Get plenty of sleep. You know, the usual.

Visit the Optometrist (or Ophthalmologist) Regularly
Seeing your eye doctor at least once a year is important. If you wait until something seems off or wonky you decrease your chances of being able to correct or fix the thing that is making your vision weird. For example, macular degeneration, when caught early can be treated and slowed down and, hopefully (if caught early enough) kept from progressing from the early stages to the more advanced stages of the disease. Don’t wait until you are older to start getting your vision checked regularly. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

For the Rest of this Original Article.

Learn more about our online healthcare classes at WeCareOnline.

New Registration and Payment System is Live!

If you are registering students on a regular basis,
you can sign into your account to avoid entering
the same information over and over.

We are proud to announce our new Registration and Payment system is up and running.

For almost a year, we have been researching and testing a whole lot of different systems to find the right one.  Our goals were

1. A simple registration process
2. An easy way to pay using credit/debit cards, echecks and payment plans
3. A user account system to log in and look up classes, make payments, and print receipts at the users convenience.

After we found the system that works for us, we spent another 6 months customizing the program to fit both your needs and our needs. As of January 1, 2013 we are live!

Since We Care Online is all about paving the way to ease in taking our classes, this system fits right in.  It is now easier for both the student and the facility to register and pay for their courses.

The Registration Process

For the student, we know that it is sometimes hard to come up with the money to cover the price of a needed course.  This system allows you to register for a class as early as you need to make payments as you can afford.  Your account can be accessed 24/7 to make payments or print receipts.

The new system makes it even more convenient for facilities who register students on a regular basis.  After the initial registration, a facility contact can sign in with a username and password to bring up their facility account.  There is no need to fill out the contact information over and over again.  Your information is kept on file.

Once  the username and password are entered, all of the  facility information and past students will come up on the screen.  You can either create a record/registration for a new student or you can add a class for a student you have registered before.

Accessing Your Account

Print receipts, classes taken, make payments and more by logging in to your account.  You can use this link:  Org_OnlineAccountLoginURL.  Or, on We Care Online's website, you can choose the "Access Your Account" button on the home page.

We have made the links to Register and Access Your Account easily accessible on our home page. The bright blue buttons are at the top of the page and easy to click from either a desktop or a mobile device.

We sincerely hope that this changeover will be easy for all of our customers.  Please feel free to give us a call with any questions.  We will be more than happy to walk you through the process if needed.

1-888-932-2501

Measuring the Quality of Hospitals and Doctors: When is Good Good Enough?

In the past, neither hospitals nor practicing physicians were accustomed to being measured and judged. Aside from periodic inspections by the Joint Commission (for which they had years of notice and on which failures were rare), hospitals did not publicly report their quality data, and payment was based on volume, not performance.
 
Physicians endured an orgy of judgment during their formative years – in high school, college, medical school, and in residency and fellowship. But then it stopped, or at least it used to. At the tender age of 29 and having passed “the boards,” I remember the feeling of relief knowing that my professional work would never again be subject to the judgment of others.

In the past few years, all of that has changed, as society has found our healthcare “product” wanting and determined that the best way to spark improvement is to measure us, to report the measures publicly, and to pay differentially based on these measures. The strategy is sound, even if the measures are often not.

Hospitals and doctors, unaccustomed to being rated and ranked like resort hotels and American Idol contestants, are suffering from performance anxiety and feeling an intense desire to be left alone. But we also bristle at the possibility of misclassification: to be branded a “B” or a “C” when you’re really an “A” feels profoundly unjust.

For More and the Original Article.

Are you a Long Term Care Facility and would like to know How Online classes can benefit you?

Coping with Job Loss and Unemployment Stress

It’s normal to feel hurt, vulnerable, or angry after losing a job. The good news is that despite the stress of job loss and unemployment, there are many things you can do to take control of the situation and maintain your spirits. You can get through this tough time by taking care of yourself, reaching out to others, and taking the opportunity to rethink your career goals and rediscover what truly makes you happy.

Losing a job is stressful

Our jobs are much more than just the way we make a living. They influence how we see ourselves, as well as the way others see us. Our jobs give us structure, purpose, and meaning. That’s why job loss and unemployment is one of the most stressful things you can experience.

Beyond the loss of income, losing a job also comes with other major losses, some of which may be even more difficult to face:

• Loss of your professional identity
• Loss of self-esteem and self-confidence
• Loss of your daily routine

• Loss of purposeful activity
• Loss of your work-based social network
• Loss of your sense of security

For the Original Article and more tips.

Come check out the job postings at WeCareOnline's forum.

End of Life Care Shifts from Hospitals to Home Health

Hospitals are not the only place where the dying go, says a new CDC report. Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated an 8 percent decrease in the number of people dying in hospitals between 2000-2010.

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living shares the results of this intriguing study here.
 
Does that mean more people are dying at home? The report suggests that “nursing homes, hospices and home health providers are playing larger roles in end-of-life care,” per the McKnight’s article, so while death may not always occur at home, there is a trend towards care in other settings outside the halls of a hospital.

It’s a welcome shift, and it has prompted lawmakers to propose legislation that would “increase education and professional development in these areas,” reports Tim Mullaney of McKnight’s.


For More & the Original Article.

Now is a great time to learn what it takes to become a Home Health Aide.

Music Therapy and Positive Effects on Seniors

Everyone can benefit from music activities in some capacity. Some can be effective music therapy. It has been found to be especially helpful to the elderly and seniors in geriatric care, palliative care and with Alzheimer's and other dementia.

Although music therapy is a specialized area for trained therapists, it doesn't take special training or musical background to apply music and musical elements for general benefit to seniors and the elderly patients in the many care facilities.

Since music for seniors has nonverbal qualities it can promote:

creativity

awareness

expression

communication

Different forms of music and music therapy activities are beneficial to elderly patients.

Music therapy for stress can dispel anxiety, tension and fear. Music therapy for depression can alleviate a sense of loneliness and isolation, especially in group sing alongs or musical participation activities.

Music activities and music therapy for elderly patients has garnered respect as a means of helping patients deal with the above conditions, but also grief, healing from surgeries, and overall health as well.

For the rest of this article.

Why not learn what it takes to become an Activity Director?

Five Tips for Spring Cleaning with Kids

Spring cleaning is on the horizon, and you could use some help.
Many hands make light work ... so how do you get the kids to pitch in when it's time to spring-clean the house?

Try these five tips to involve children with housecleaning chores:

Think teamwork

It's downright lonely to be sentenced to clean a bathroom on your own, but paired with a parent, even a 5-year-old can work safely and happily. While Dad wields the bowl cleaner and the tile brush, his helper can scrub the sink, polish the fixtures, empty the trash and trundle towels and rugs to the laundry room.
Working as a team involves kids in the cleaning process, helps them learn cleaning skills, and most important, models both the attitude and the job standard you're trying to teach.

Take your voice out of the process

Children have an innate ability to "tune out" parents, when the subject is chores. What parent wants to spend a Saturday nagging, threatening and hollering, "You get back here and finish the vacuuming!"?
Instead, post a list of the day's jobs, or write them out on index cards. Divvy the jobs up between the teams, or let each team choose one until the work is done. Putting the work on paper removes the tussle of wills.

For More Tips and the Original Article.

Find out how you can become a Restorative Aide at WeCareOnline.

Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health

The Mediterranean diet is a heart-healthy eating plan combining elements of Mediterranean-style cooking. Here's how to adopt the Mediterranean diet.

If you're looking for a heart-healthy eating plan, the Mediterranean diet might be right for you. The Mediterranean diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating — plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps a glass of red wine — among other components characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Most healthy diets include fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, and limit unhealthy fats. While these parts of a healthy diet remain tried-and-true, subtle variations or differences in proportions of certain foods may make a difference in your risk of heart disease.

 

Benefits of the Mediterranean diet

 

Research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease. In fact, a recent analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer and cancer mortality, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

For More Info and the Original Article.

Interested in helping others? Why not start a career in the health industry. Check out the online class schedule at WeCareOnline.

We Care Online March Staff Highlight - Colleen Villa

Staff highlight for this month is Colleen Villa.

Colleen Villa has worked in the healthcare field for five years.  She was attracted to the field and to educate others in the field from her desire to provide the “best education to students as possible in order to provide the Best Healthcare to individuals in need.”   Colleen’s father passed away from cancer.  She witnessed the care he received ranged greatly in quality.  Colleen would like to see everyone receiving great care at all times.

Colleen recently moved to Topeka, Kansas.   She was born and raised in Concordia, Kansas.  Colleen met her husband in Texas.  The Villas have one daughter.

When Colleen is not working she likes to decorate and spend time with her family. 

Colleen wishes she would have known how much she would enjoy the healthcare field.  She states:  “I love working with nurses; they truly are special.”

Everyone at WeCareOnline plays an important role in helping students have the best online learning experience possible.  Colleen coordinates the Home Health Aide and Certified Medication Aide Update courses.  She also has started testing students in the Certified Medication Aide courses in Topeka.  Colleen’s goal is to provide high school students WeCareOnline courses at their high schools.  Colleen also helps market WeCareOnline.

Over the years Colleen has seen more and more students learning through online courses.  Her background in the insurance field had trained her that LTC would be in very high demand with baby boomers.  To Colleen’s surprise the census is down in terms of demand for long term care facilities. This has convinced Colleen that more than ever, there is a great demand for Home Health Aides to provide individuals care in the comfort of their own homes. 

Since WeCareOnline is an online company, Colleen knows that people don’t get to see her face to face or to see her workspace.  Colleen has a picture of a Hereford bull behind her desk with a blue ribbon from the 1917 Nebraska State Fair.  Colleen’s great grandfather raised Hereford bulls and Colleen asked her mother if she could borrow the picture for her office.  She states that her office is "a little manly" as she originally decorated the office for her husband.

10 Completely Creative Ways to Save Money

Why does it feel like everyone is broke this time of year? Is it because we just got done paying off the holiday bills? Or are we all really broke? Whatever the reason, now is as good a time as any to start saving money.

Oh, but you've tried that and it never works? Folks, I promise you that it's possible. If you really want to save money, you just have to be a little creative. Just check out these creative ideas that are guaranteed to keep the cash in your wallet:


1. Only run full loads. How many times do you run the dishwasher when there's still room for dishes or run the clothes washer for just a few towels? STOP doing that! Running full loads means running fewer loads overall -- saving you on your electric and water bills.

2. Use less. Whether it's the cleaning products you spray liberally on your kitchen counters or the coffee you load in the filter, try to use just a little bit less. You'll be surprised how it adds up ... and how much longer you'll be able to go before buying replacements.

3. Ask about sales. It's all well and good to read the sale circulars, but they only tell you what the sale is right now. If you're looking to make a big purchase, it's worth it to ask the salesman if they know of upcoming sales. One mom saved $300 on her laptop by going back the next day!

4. Pack lunch on weekends. We all know about packing lunch to take to work. But what about the weekends when you're running errands? You work up an appetite doing all that running, and it can be so tempting to just pop into the local pizza place for a slice ...

5. Save old clothes. Turn them into rags or napkins, and you will save a ton on paper towels and, well, napkins.

6. Become a swapper. Whether you throw a fashion swap for your girlfriends so you can all exchange the clothes you've gotten tired of or you trade babysitting services with another family in the neighborhood, it's the best way to get the things you need without spending a dime.

For more tips and the original blog.

Learn how you can become a Social Services Designee.

Cholesterol and Alzheimer's Disease

Although no one definitively knows clear measures to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, research now shows a promising link between cholesterol in the blood and the brain disease that diminishes memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Researchers at Vanderbilt University reported in the June 2012 issue of Psychcentral that the specific amyloid precursor protein (APP) found in Alzheimer’s disease binds to cholesterol. Because of the breakthrough discovery, researchers are now searching for a drug to block cholesterol from binding to the Alzheimer’s-related protein.

Even if such medication becomes available, it is still wise for people to keep their cholesterol levels in check to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s as well as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other health concerns. Too much waxy cholesterol in the blood causes buildup in artery walls and limits oxygen to the heart. Cholesterol levels should be monitored regularly for individuals over age 45 or in anyone with higher risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking. Consider preventing and treating high cholesterol through the following lifestyle habits:

Stop smoking. Quitting improves good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and lowers blood pressure.

Lose excess weight. Even losing 5 to 10 pounds can lower cholesterol.

Increase physical activity. Doctors recommend 30 to 60 minutes of exercise such as brisk walking or swimming once a day to improve cholesterol levels.

Limit cholesterol-rich foods. Consume less saturated fats (organ meats, egg yolks, and whole milk products)

 

 

For more info and the rest of this blog.   Learn more about what it takes to be a Home health aide.

Tips for Dealing with Difficult Coworkers

If you have a job, chances are that you've come across at least one person with whom you've found working with difficult. Infact, most of us over the course of our careers will have encountered many of these difficult coworker types. I sure have! While working with difficult coworkers can be stressful and really take the fun out of our days, it's important to remember that dealing with these challenging personalities is unfortunately part of having a job. That is.. unless you work for yourself but that's a whole different story.

Read on because I am going to identify four types of difficult coworkers and ways you can deal with them.

Are your difficult coworkers making you pull your hair out at work?

1. The Grumpy Coworker

You know the type - they walk into work in the morning, don't say hi, won't even make eye contact with you or crack a smile. While we do not all have to be best friends at work, it is pretty awkward when you can't interact with these people the way you would with a normal person who will at least say hello. What to do:

• Try to find some common ground: There's got to be something - anything - that you have in common with this person and if you're able to find it, you just might be able to crack them. Maybe you and her have the same favorite tv show - you could ask her what she thought of last night's episode! Maybe you both have kids starting school this year - ask how that's working out. The point is to find something to get that person talking so she feels like you're both on the same side. She still might not say hello to you in the morning, but you might get a glimmer or a smile every once in a while that can lighten the tension. 

Read About the Other Three Types Here in the Original Article.

Know someone who's interested in starting a career in health care? Learn more about our open enrollment at WeCareOnline.

Red Wine & Red Grapes Help Protect Against Hearing Loss & More

Red wine and red grapes contain resveratrol, a substance which appears to protect against hearing loss and cognitive decline, researchers from the Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, reported in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

In an animal experiment, the scientists found that laboratory rats would suffer less from the long-term effects of noise-induced hearing loss if they consumed resveratrol before listening to extended periods of loud noise.

Study lead author Michael D. Seidman, director of the Division of Otologic/Neurotologic Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital, said:

"Our latest study focuses on resveratrol and its effect on bioinflammation, the body's response to injury and something that is believed to be the cause of many health problems including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, aging and hearing loss."

For More and the Original Article.

Know someone who'd like to become a Certified Medication Aide? See what classes we have at WeCareOnline.

Seniors Tracking Health: There's an App for That

Medical tracking using the latest technology is growing stronger every day. We believe that your senior loved ones, while beginning to adopt technology, probably haven’t yet gotten familiar with some great technology apps that can help them track and improve their health and wellness.

Many of our seniors are using smartphones in a variety of platforms whether Android, iOS  or Windows 8. The platform they choose is not as important as making the most of the apps that are currently available, though the choice of platform will dictate the apps from which they can choose.

Research indicates that, even with the abundance of available health monitoring apps at our fingertips, our seniors (and even we ourselves) are still primarily using their heads or paper to track and trend their health data.

It has been estimated that about seven out of ten adults are tracking their health information such as weight, diet, symptoms, physical activity, or vital statistics including blood pressure, blood sugar and oxygenation for themselves or their senior loved ones. Instead of using technology, they are using only their heads.

Health Data You Can Track

• Weight
• Diet and food intake
• Activity programs and time spent exercising
• Blood pressure
• Symptoms such as headaches
• Sleep patterns

For more and link to original blog. 

Like to learn more about becoming an Activities Director: See our classes at WeCareOnline.