Observation Skills for CNAs

First, make sure you understand the nursing process and how CNA’s fit in with it.
When we think about it, CNA’s are the eyes, ears, hands and nose of the nurses. We use these senses when providing care and with the right skill, we can assist the nurse with valuable patient information that may avert a serious problem. Things get confusing though when we make judgments about the things we’re seeing, feeling, smelling and hearing.

There are two types of observations:
Subjective and Objective

Objective observations are fact. They are measurable.
• Vital Signs
• Bruises
• Open areas and other skin conditions
• Blood in urine
• Urine output from a cath

Objective observations are reported in the same manner by many people. They are not biased and they do not rely on statements and guesswork.

For the second type of observation.

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When You Need More Help: Alzheimer's Care Options

When you care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia at home — either theirs or yours — a time when you need more help will almost surely come. Though you may not know when, be prepared by knowing your options in advance.

• First, reach out to family members and friends for support. Asking for help from people you know can be more difficult than hiring professionals who are total strangers, but when you can’t be there, there is nothing like knowing your loved one is being cared for by someone you know and trust. Read How to… Delegate Elder Care Tasks for advice on asking for help.
• Research and access respite care, which essentially provides a break for the caregiver on a short-term basis. Respite care is now more readily available in senior living communities via short-term stays. 

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Fun Games Can Improve Quality of Life

Games for seniors are very beneficial because they can improve a senior's quality of life. Wouldn't you agree?

Games and activities can bring people together in groups and enhance a sense of belonging and participation. When people share laughter through games together it can help to bond people that otherwise feel no personal connection.

Laughter has its own benefit but games can also help improve memory, dexterity, reduce stress and remove a sense of isolation. All because they threw some bean bags together or beat their own high score or finished a puzzle.

Here are some games to keep in mind for the seniors in your care. Some are more suited to the elderly with some independence. Others are better suited to low functioning seniors and seniors with vision impairment, arthritis and dementia challenges.

Brain Games and Mind Games
Brain games for seniors are obviously good for exercising the mind and sharpening awareness skills.

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Discovering Benefits of Good Caregiver Support Group

When I was a practicing psychotherapist, I often referred patients to support groups, but was selective about whom to send. Support groups aren’t for everyone; they take a certain amount of “breaking in” and require commitment to be beneficial. I also issued a caveat – you won’t like every group; find one that fits for you and keep going back.

An article on AARP.org, written by a psychologist, addressed what makes an excellent caregiver support group and overcoming resistance to attending. Reporting on “one of the best caregiver support groups” he’d ever visited, he observed trust, support, connection and freedom to talk openly about feelings. This long-running support group was for caregivers of those with dementia.
What caregivers don’t realize until they experience a healthy support group is other attendees speak their language. Many people believe no one could possibly understand. The article emphasizes a support group is a safe place to “talk shop” – share strategies, help each other and compare similar caregiver experiences, especially those that are emotionally difficult.

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Unspoken Rules of Nursing Culture That Can Hurt Your Career

When Shelli was a new scrub nurse with only six months experience, she failed to anticipate that the surgeon would need a particular scalpel. Immediately, her preceptor deftly slapped the correct blade into the impatient surgeon’s outstretched hand with a glare in Shelli’s direction. The surgeon said nothing, but a look of disappointment briefly flashed across his face. At that moment, Shelli learned that if she was not on top of the surgeon’s needs, she would end up feeling embarrassed and looking incompetent. Shelli did not find the r​ules of the nursing culture in her orientation manual.

We learn these unspoken rules of the nursing culture very quickly in order to survive. We know which physician not to ever call in the middle of the night, which nurse talks about us behind our back when we ask a question, and whether we should even bother to write up an incident report or approach a coworker with a concern we have about ‘their' patient. This knowledge is vital to our survival because it determines whether or not we will be accepted by the group.

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When Shelli was a new scrub nurse with only six months experience, she failed to anticipate that the surgeon would need a particular scalpel. Immediately, her preceptor deftly slapped the correct blade into the impatient surgeon’s outstretched hand with a glare in Shelli’s direction. The surgeon said nothing, but a look of disappointment briefly flashed across his face. At that moment, Shelli learned that if she was not on top of the surgeon’s needs, she would end up feeling embarrassed and looking incompetent. Shelli did not find the r​ules of the nursing culture in her orientation manual. 

We learn these unspoken rules of the nursing culture very quickly in order to survive. We know which physician not to ever call in the middle of the night, which nurse talks about us behind our back when we ask a question, and whether we should even bother to write up an incident report or approach a coworker with a concern we have about ‘their' patient. This knowledge is vital to our survival because it determines whether or not we will be accepted by the group. 

- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/nurses-heal-thyself-a-culture-of-silence#sthash.3jF6pZwu.dpuf

Wellness Program Triples New Residents at Senior Community

A wellness initiative called the Vitality Program has not only focused needed attention on seniors’ highest health risk factors, it has tripled the sales of a Florida senior living community. As reported on SeniorHousingNews.com, North Florida Retirement Village, Inc. in Gainesville, Florida has had a big jump in occupancy and resident retention rates after weathering a downward track due to the shaky economy.

Through overall expansion and diversity, the company saw improved numbers, but community director Jim Antonucci gives most of the credit to the Vitality Program.
The program starts by giving residents a “vitality score” of 0 to 48, using criteria such as health issues, impairments, activities of daily living and life satisfaction scores. After receiving their scores, residents have customized recommendations for improving their health by using community resources.

Nurses on campus are accessible around the clock and home health aides and physical therapists are able to do evaluations in seniors’ homes. The Vitality Program is free to Village residents and to date, more than 97 percent of the 700 residents have taken the Vitality Assessment.

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Dressing to Impress: How this Impacts your Career

Taking the time to look your absolute best for your job can create short term and long term benefits for your life.


People who dress professionally and maintain their appearance project confidence, leadership, intelligence and a healthy degree of attractiveness in the eyes of any beholder. Not only are these theories supported by anecdotal evidence but by studies.

Dr. Frank Bernieri, an associate professor of psychology at Oregon State University, recently conducted just such a study in which he probed employers about the traits they deem most favorable of prospective applicants. Conservative, polished dress and a well groomed appearance was at the top of the list. Dr. Bernieri also found most employers make a decision in an interview about an applicant’s rightness for the job within 10-30 seconds of a first meeting.

This means you have literally the amount of time it takes your future boss to blink once or twice to impress them. And even after you get the job, ensuring your message of gravitas, integrity and efficiency remains strong is tantamount to staying crisp, coiffed, cuffed, clean—impeccably turned out at all times when on on the job.

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A Cure for Dementia?

Advances in genetics and pharmaceuticals could lead to a cure for dementia by 2020, according to United Kingdom Secretary of Health Jeremy Hunt.

“Finding drugs that can halt or cure dementia may seem a distant prospect now but there are drugs companies that think they will have a cure for dementia by 2020,” Hunt said at the recent Local Government Association conference in Manchester, according to The Telegraph.

The United Kingdom's Alzheimer's Society expanded on Hunt's remarks commenting: “Studies we're funding show that drugs which are already licensed for other conditions may also treat dementia. If these are successful, we could have them doubling as treatments for dementia within 10 years.”
More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and the Alzheimer's Association foresees the number increasing to about 13.8 million by 2050.

As more of the population develops dementia and a cure remains elusive, providing effective care for residents with dementia becomes even more important. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services held a webinar Wednesday to discuss the reduction of antipsychotics among residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Facilities have achieved a 4% reduction in off-label use of antipsychotics among residents with dementia, but CMS is still aiming for a 15% average reduction.

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Who to Know When You Are a Caregiver

When you’re a caregiver, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel as if you’re the only one who can do the care giving work. You may also feel that a doctor is the only one to whom you can direct your questions, but you find yourself having more questions than the doctor has time to answer, or more problems for which he/she has a solution.

Consider these helpful professionals — outside of a doctor’s office — when you need assistance, expertise or guidance along your caregiving way:

Occupational therapists: Occupational therapists are all about routines. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), OTs “help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).”

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90-Year-Olds Today Sharper than Previous Generation

A large Danish study of nonagenarians finds that people born in 1915 not only lived longer than those born a decade earlier, but they also retained a higher level of both their cognitive and physical abilities.

To address the concerns of future care needs for the “Silver Tsunami,” a team of Danish researchers investigated the health status of seniors over the age of 90.  Using the Danish Civil Register System, the team identified all nonagenarians living in Denmark at the time that they were conducting their surveys. 

Two groups of nonagenarians were given cognitive and physical assessments. The first cohort included a total of 2,262 nonagenarians born in 1905. This cohort was assessed in 1998 when they were ages 92 to 93. The second group consisted of 1,584 seniors born in 1915, and were assessed in 2010 when they were ages 94 to 95. 

The 1915 cohort scored notably better on the cognitive test than the 1905 group, with a significantly higher proportion of participants achieving perfect scores (23 percent vs. 13 percent). The researchers also found that the odds of living to age 93 were 28 percent higher in the 1915 cohort than in the 1905 cohort, and the chance of reaching 95 years was 32 percent higher in 1915 cohort. 

The two groups recorded similar results in the physical performance exams, but the 1915 cohort scored significantly higher on tests measuring ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL).

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8 Alternative Foods for Nurses

Nurses, have you tried to lose weight but found yourself craving the food you’re avoiding and sabotaging your diet? It could be that your food choices are largely to blame for your poor nursing wellness.  

Eating certain foods can actually stimulate the appetite. So, which foods can cause cravings and should you avoid when you’re trying to lose weight? The answer is manufactured foods that have been stripped of nutrients and fiber. Look for 100% whole wheat on every flour product you purchase. Try eating foods closer to the earth, not foods that have been totally refined and redefined before coming to you in the store. 

Be assured that your cravings for high-starch foods will diminish over time. It is not uncommon to hear people comment that they don’t crave these foods after as little as two weeks.

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Is an iPad Good for Your Eyes?

In a presentation at the most recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Daniel Roth, an eye specialist and clinical associate professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ, offered new findings on why tablet computers are helping seniors read with increased clarity and speed.

Yes, you read right – technology can make life better for seniors, not worse! Dr. Roth’s test results revealed that participants age 50 and above read about 128 words per minute on an iPad, compared to 114 words per minute with a newspaper. The font size was the same – 10-point.

Dr. Roth suggested that the tablet’s illuminated screen enhances the contrast between the words and the background, easing eyestrain and enhancing readability. Since contrast sensitivity (the visual ability to differentiate between foreground and background information) declines with age, a backlit screen can help seniors see better and read more efficiently.

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Fun Audio Activities for Seniors

In days gone by radio was big. Seniors will remember it well. Now we call it Old Time Radio!

When radio was big, just before TV, families used to gather in the living rooms and sitting rooms where they would grab a comfortable pillow, spot on the floor, some knitting or mending to do, and they would listen to radio shows and performances we now call The Classics of Old Time Radio.

Laurel and Hardy

Amos and Andy

Gunsmoke

Tales of the Texas Rangers

Evening with George Burns

The Danny Kaye Show

Radio City Playhouse

and many, many more!

The choices are numerous and sure to bring back special memories and some new laughs to a lost form of entertainment that the seniors in your care will surely appreciate. It is also a wonderful activity for those with visual impairments or those that are too ill or bed ridden to join in some other activities.

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Pharmacy Technician Course Externship Available At Walgreens

You may not realize it, but We Care Online has a Pharmacy Technician course which is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents. The Pharmacy Technician course has been available and enrolling students for close to two years.  The course is available nationwide.

The Pharmacy Technician course requires a short externship at a pharmacy. Past students have had to find their own externship pharmacy. This summer, We Care Online and Walgreens Pharmacies have come to an agreement allowing our Pharmacy Technician students to perform their externship at Walgreens nationwide!* It's a great opportunity to experience a busy pharmacy.

Pharmacy jobs are growing by leaps and bounds, and entry level salaries and benefits can be quite generous. It's also a stable profession and with continuing education opportunities (usually paid by an employer), you can expect to make a career in the field.

 We Care Online's Pharmacy Technician is an open enrollment course allowing you 90 days to complete the class.  This course gives you the tools to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE.) Candidates that pass the PTCE are permitted to use the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential, "CPht." The PTCB certification program is the only pharmacy technician certification program accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

What are you waiting for? Get started on a pharmacy career today! Click here to get started.

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How Reading and Writing Preserve Memory in Older Age

A recent study has found that engaging in mental activities as simple as reading and writing can significantly reduce the rate of cognitive decline in seniors. Older adults who were mentally active throughout their lifetime experienced the lowest rate of memory loss.

Researchers from the Chicago-based Rush University Medical Center gathered 294 older adults to participate in the study. The participants were given a survey to determine how frequently they read books, wrote, or did any other similar activities when they were a child, through adolescence, in middle age, and at their current age.

The seniors were then tested for their memory and other mental abilities every year until they died. Older adults on average, participated in the study for 6 years. The participants also agreed to allow their brain tissue to be examined after they passed.

The researchers found that the rate of cognitive decline among older adults who frequently engaged in mental activity was 32 percent lower than individuals with average mental activity.

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4 Things That Increase Risk for Falls

Younger people can spring back from a fall. But for elders, taking a spill can lead to broken bones and trigger a domino effect of health problems and decline.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall, and more than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by falls.

Since falls can be a major setback, elders—and caregivers—must stay mindful of the specific risk factors that can lead to a big spill.

Here are four key factors that contribute to falls when you're older, and what you can do to prevent them.

1. Household and environment hazards. "Throw rugs, jutting furniture, and grandkids' toys on floor can create household dangers for older people challenged by sight and balance," says Rebecca S. Boxer, geriatric heart failure specialist and assistant professor of medicine. "Outside the home, getting out of the car, stepping up and down from curbs, and slipping on ice are common reasons older people fall."

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5 Tech Gadgets for Aging in Place

We’re hearing the term “aging in place” more and more. Aging in place is the concept of staying in your living space for as long as possible while maintaining your independence, being comfortable, and safe. While typically this refers to a senior’s home, it can also be applied to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) lifestyle choice.

Recently, a blog post on InsideElderCare.com suggested five technology and gadgets solutions for seniors to age in place.


1. Skype or FaceTime – Many seniors are quickly adapting to tech tools that make their lives easier and more enjoyable. Using Skype’s video chat function helps seniors stay connected with family and friends while in their homes, chatting in real time. Apple has a similar application, FaceTime, that allows users to make video calls from their devices – Macs, iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch.

2. Hearing and vision-enhancing gadgets – Devices that work with phones to amplify sounds or offer magnifying capabilities allow seniors to better compensate for diminished hearing and/or vision.

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Ease Back-to-School Stress for Kids

Change may be good, but it’s not necessarily easy. Switching from the laid-back fun in the sun of summer to rules, homework, and routines can be a big jump for parents and children alike. But with a little preparation and the right attitude, it doesn’t have to be so hard.

It’s normal for a child to have a little flutter of anxiety about going back to school, according to Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a clinical psychologist and coauthor of Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential. After all, they’re getting themselves ready for a lot of newness: a teacher, classmates, tasks, and challenges.

Students may have trouble sleeping at the start of the school year, but that’s nothing to worry about, Kennedy-Moore says. More uncomfortable symptoms might include continued trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, or irritability. Severe cases can involve tears, tantrums, and even refusing to go to school.

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10 Early warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer

The average general health article on pancreatic cancer states flatly that there are no early symptoms of pancreatic cancer. People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are typically already in the advanced stage of the disease by the time it's caught, and the typical prognosis is death within five years.
With pancreatic cancer much on everyone's mind due to the untimely death of Steve Jobs, it seems like a good time to ask the question that's on all of our minds: Are there any early warning signs of pancreatic cancer?

The answer is yes, there are. But to understand these signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, it's important to understand where the pancreas is, and what it does.

Located deep inside the abdomen, the pancreas is only 4 to 6 inches long and shaped like a tadpole. In the "tail" of the pancreas are cells that produce insulin, and tumors at this end are usually endocrine tumors. They're easier to diagnose, but are much rarer. At the other end, the "head" of the pancreas, are cells that produce digestive enzymes, and tumors at this end are called exocrine tumors. These are by far the most common, and are much more difficult to detect.

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How to Plan Your Grandparents Day Event

Whether you're celebrating National Grandparents Day (September 8, 2013) or running a Grandparents Day event at another time of the year, getting started by encouraging participation is the first step.

It's a first step that can lead to many other, bigger steps: increasing overall family and community involvement, building a volunteer base, encouraging greater understanding across generations, building closer bonds between generations, affirming the value of children and older adults, making use of the strengths of both young and old, and mobilizing all generations to deal with some very real societal challenges.

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