Why you should treat your employees like your best customers.

Successful companies realize that employees are their most important asset. Customers might be the reason the lights stay on, but those customers wouldn’t exist without the hard work and dedication put forth by employees.

It’s for this reason that employers should actively invest in their workers. Specifically, they should aim to treat them as they do their best customers. Just as businesses value their customers’ satisfaction, loyalty and referrals, employers should value the same in their employee relationships. Invest in employees, and they’ll invest in the company.

Like customer success, employee success should be a holistic experience for employees -- from recruitment through all of the great experiences they share with the company.

For More and Original Article.

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The Skinny on Subscription Snack Boxes - The Latest Craze

They call it the fourth meal.

For many, snacking is the number one cause for derailed diets, unintentional calorie overloading and an increase in sugar or salt intake. But the snack is often the saving grace of the work day – the only problem is most of us are left with limited choices at the office vending machine.
Enter the subscription snack box – the latest online food craze that has businesses big and small betting on people looking for healthier snack options.

Silicon Valley-based company NatureBox has been leading the charge on the healthy snack front since its launch in 2012.

The idea for the company was born, in part, out of CEO and co-founder Gautam Gupta’s struggle with obesity. After teaching himself about nutrition and exercise in high school, Gupta lost 70 pounds, but struggled with finding snack options he felt good about eating when on the go.

“Twenty-five per cent of our daily calories come from snacking and we’ve found people will often say they don’t feel satisfied after they snack,” said NatureBox spokesperson Nicki Briggs. “So we thought it was a really big opportunity to make a difference.”

Read More and for Original Article.
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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

10 Hard to Learn Skills that Pay Off Forever

The best things in life may be free, but that doesn't mean they won't take time, sweat, and perseverance to acquire.
That's especially the case when it comes to learning important life skills.

In an effort to ascertain which talents are worth the investment, one Quora reader posed the question: What are the hardest and most useful skills to learn?
We've highlighted our favorite takeaways.

 

1. Time management

Effective time management is one of the most highly valued skills by employers. While there is no one right way, it's important to find a system that works for you and stick to it, Alina Grzegorzewska explains.

"The hardest thing to learn for me was how to plan," she writes. "Not to execute what I have planned, but to make so epic a to-do list and to schedule it so thoroughly that I'm really capable of completing all the tasks on the scheduled date."

 

2. Empathy

"You can be the most disciplined, brilliant, and even wealthy individual in the world, but if you don't care for or empathize with other people, then you are basically nothing but a sociopath," writes Kamia Taylor.

Read More and Original Article Here.

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Pregnancy and Motherhood: Women's Brains Permanently Altered?

Pregnancy and motherhood has been found to permanently alter a woman’s brains, specifically how it and the body may react to future treatments or hormones later in life, a recent study says.
Researchers wanted to see how women who had given birth to children would respond to “estrogen hormone treatments, which are often prescribed to treat brain disorders in middle-aged and older women,” reported CTV News.

They tested rats who had experienced motherhood, as well as rats who hadn’t and found the estrogen treatment improved the learning of those rats that had been mothers, but impaired the learning of the other rats.

“Our most recent research shows that previous motherhood alters cognition and neuroplasticity in response to hormone therapy, demonstrating that motherhood permanently alters the brain,” said Liisa Galea, head researcher of the study.

Being aware of how women’s bodies may react to certain hormones in brain treatments could aid in knowing what will or won’t actually help, or what could be dangerous with treatments.

For More and Original Article by Mandy Morgan of Deseret News 

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Seniors: When is the Right Time to Stop Driving?

For many of us, driving is a vital component of freedom and independence. But aging brings physical changes that can jeopardize your future on the road.

“Most people I see don’t think they have any driving problems,” says Barbara Moscowitz, a geriatric social worker at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. “But even subtle changes in your health can affect your reaction time. You need to address them while you’re well, so you can keep driving.”

SENSORY CHANGES

Changes in eyesight may make it harder to see at night, read traffic signs, and cope with glare. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people ages 65 and older have comprehensive eye exams at least every other year.
Hearing loss also can affect your driving skills by keeping you from noting outside noise such as sirens and horns. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends getting hearing checks every three years after age 50.

Quick fixes: Keep noise in the car to a minimum, and cut back on night driving.

For More and Original Article.
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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.

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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.

6 Creative Activities That Will Make Senior Residents Smile

The best assisted living communities make it a priority to have an energetic and creative activities director on their staff.  This individual is tasked with keeping residents busy and happy and stimulated. A good activities director will continually ask residents and their loved ones for input so that the calendar is filled with a well-rounded range of assisted living activities designed to engage residents of all different abilities and interests and to reflect their own interests as community members. Assisted living activities are important for more than just fun and games, though. One study of more than 5,500 participants aged 65 years or older concluded that stimulating leisure activities were significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia.

Putting a smile on resident’s faces is not too hard with a fun mix of activities. They don’t have to be expensive or complicated. Here are five ideas for creative assisted living activities.

1.      Barbeque  Throw a southern barbeque party. Tell the women and men to dress in vacation resort clothes. Fire up the Bubba barbeque pit and serve your best barbeque ribs, pork shoulders and whole hog.

2.      Concert under the stars Beautiful summer weather brings the ability to invite residents outside to a common area and put on a live music concert. Hire a duo that plays music most residents will recognize and enjoy. Serve snacks, cookies, punch and wine –if allowed in the assisted living residence – and let the music flow and the dancing go.


For More and Original Article at www.ssmgrp.com

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WeCareOnline June Staff Highlight - Cindy Gaschler

This month we get to meet Cindy Gaschler.  

Cindy has worked in the healthcare field for 15 years. She began her career as a CNA, then completed her LPN, and continued with an ADN degree.  She functioned as a Long Term Care charge nurse, Inpatient Rehabilitation nurse, MDS Coordinator, and Director of Nursing.  

Following this she re-enrolled in college to obtain a BSN while performing duties of Human Resources, Staff Development Coordinator, Risk Management, Health Information Management, and Senior Living Manager. She is a certified clinical instructor for the state of Kansas for Certfied Nurse Aide,Certified Med Aide, Activity Director and Social Service Designee. 


She is married with 3 children and lives in a rural area 10 miles from the nearest town. Cindy enjoys the outdoors. She has horses, dogs, too many cats, and an enormous garden that always wants attention.



With her years of experience in the heath care field, Cindy believes that it is best to focus on the person. Before you help the person, take the time to enjoy him or her without distraction.

Cindy feels blessed to have the ability to work with students both online teaching the Activity Director and Social Service Designee courses and face to face during their clinical experience in Kansas. She also enjoys networking with more northern states online and by phone.  She assists with enrollments, invoicing, and basic technical issues.  She also works with marketing and directs new users in the services available through WeCareOnline.


The biggest change she has seen in the health care industry has been the shift from direct care to documentation. This also correlates with the shift to electronic documentation over paper charting.

On Cindy's desk, the one item that would be noticed without fail is her pencil sharpener. Her children felt an office is not complete without an electric pencil sharpener with the widest variety of color, foil, and decorated pencils ever noted from any party store!  (She never gets to use it because they do not allow her the opportunity to experience a dull pencil.  They are dutifully sharpened by one or all of them daily whether needed or not.)

Storytelling Therapy: Between the Lines

From a young age, I was drawn to the power of stories. Between my obsession with the original Nancy Drew mysteries and my love for competing in storytelling contests, stories played a major role in my development.

Of course, stories aren’t just for kids. Storytelling can be engaging and even therapeutic for anyone, with significant benefits for seniors – particularly when the tales are personal.

The Power of Storytelling

“We know from research that narrating life stories can help older people resolve internal conflicts, overcome self-criticism, and improve their sense of self-worth,” says Dr. Karl Pillemer, Cornell University gerontologist and author of 30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage. “Particularly valuable are storytelling opportunities that allow for ‘integrative reminiscence,’ in which people tell stories about their lives that involve examining and coming to terms with issues in their past.”

Pillemer is referring to his work on The Legacy Project, in which seniors are invited to share their stories as well as their advice for younger people.

For More and Original Article.
Learn what it takes to become a restorative aide.

Exercise Together: 100 Great Family Fitness Ideas

What’s one of the biggest obstacles to bringing family fitness into your family life? Ideas.

Just like our kids, we inevitably get hit with that question, “What should we do?”

The first secret to making family fitness work, is to grab little moments and sneak activity in.

The second secret is to streamline things so you can quickly move from planning to doing.

To apply both of these secrets, the last thing you want to be spending time doing is trying to come up with an inspiration for activity.

So to make that question, “What should we do?” disappear like dust in the wind, I pulled my husband and kids together to brainstorm a list of fun activities for family fitness.

Initially I was just thinking let’s try to get to 100. But then I realized this could get much better and bigger . . .

I’d love for you to add your ideas and favorite activities here. Just put them in the comments. Let’s see how far we can go!

(By the way, I realized I cheated a bit here.  I didn’t notice it the first time I wrote this up but I put cleaning the house down twice as an activity. You can see where I want to get the crew moving! And yes, active chores count!)

1. Play tag
2. Play hide and seek
3. Toss the football
4. Play ultimate football (Make teams and see how you can move the ball up to your goal line by simply doing several passes in a row back and forth. Other team tries to intercept.)

For More Great Ideas and Original Article.

Learn what it takes to become an Activities Director.

Are You at Risk for Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Checking your skin for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stages. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment.

Learn More and see original article from the Mayo Clinic.

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Activitites: Easy Card Games for Seniors

Seniors & Their Activities

Activities for seniors is such a hot topic because In the life of every individual, old age is life’s best time. This is an age when they are perfectly settled after achieving their dreams and life resolutions. After fulfilling all major responsibilities of life like settling down children, they become free of all kind of worries including work, business, children and almost everything. In this age, one can analyze their hidden talents and can explore them as well. Mostly elderly spend their most of this time in exploring their hidden talent. Thus, the activities are varied for seniors. But in these activities, playing card games are very common and perfect time pass for them which is liked by most of the seniors.

Activities For Seniors Beyond Calculation

If you think to measure up all activities for seniors in an instant, then we must say that it is not possible at all. From easy to difficult, there are numerous activities famous amongst seniors. The game of card is very well known to all age people and it has several forms as well. But when it comes to elderly, they like to play easy form of card games. In addition to card games, their activities include artistic work like drawing, painting, singing, music, sculpture etc. Besides these artistic activity options, they can do internet surfing, joining dance club, gardening, watching birds, book reading, traveling, scrap booking etc.

See more here

Early Signs of Parkinson's Disease

More than 1 million Americans currently have Parkinson’s disease, with an additional 50,000 to 60,000 cases being diagnosed every year. How can you tell if you or a loved one is developing Parkinson’s? Knowing the early signs can help.

Parkinson’s Early Symptoms

 

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder whose symptoms were first described by British physician John Parkinson nearly 200 years ago. “It is caused by a lack of the chemical dopamine and is a progressive degenerative disease, meaning that there is no cure and it gets worse over time,” says Shelley Webb, a registered nurse from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with more than 30 years experience who is also an Alzheimer’s Association support group facilitator.

In most cases, Parkinson’s disease has no known underlying cause. However, Webb reports that genetic factors as well as environmental factors such as exposure to certain pesticides or industrial toxins may be involved. The average age of onset is 60. However, the disease has been diagnosed in people at 40 or even younger.

For more and original article.

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7 Steps to Getting Promoted

You have been in the same position for years. You love the company you work for, your commute is great and you even enjoy your co-workers. But more often than you care to think about, the all too common email from the boss, copied to everyone in the company, arrives in your in-box: "It is my pleasure to announce the well deserved promotion," of your co-worker in the cubicle attached to yours.

"I come to work and stay to myself, I keep my head down and my mouth shut. Why do I keep getting overlooked and not promoted?" If you have found yourself saying - or even thinking these kinds of things...THAT'S WHY YOU ARE NOT GETTING PROMOTED!

Gone are the days that employees are "tapped on the shoulder" for promotion simply by showing up to work and not making waves. Employers want to see passion, leadership, a "what ever it takes" attitude and a solution-oriented team player poised for promotion. Today's work environment requires employees to do more with less and often perform work that was previously accomplished by two or three employees, and they want to see the work accomplished without whining, complaining or having a fit.


For More in the Original Chicago Tribune Article.

Learn how to get ahead in your healthcare career.

Tuition Reimbursement Winner for April

Congratulations, Kirstin! 

Kirstin is our Tuition Reimbursement Winner for April! 

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

"My name is Kirstin I am very laid back and look forward to working as a CNA. I am very grateful that I have been chosen for the reimbursement. WeCareOnline has helped me tremendously with my job, and my perspective from the residents eyes."
- Kirstin K.

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.

Alzheimer's and Dementia Part 4 of 4

Late-stage Alzheimer's Signs and Symptoms

The focus of late-stage Alzheimer's is the complete deterioration of the personality. Cognitive symptoms worsen, and physical symptoms become profound. The loss of brain cells in all parts of the brain leads to lack of functioning in all systems of the body. The wild behaviors of earlier stages disappear, replaced by a dulling of the mind and body.

Cognitive and memory problems decline further, and complete dependence on others is necessary

• Doesn't recognize familiar people, including their spouse and family members (a lack of visual ability may contribute to this)

• Needs complete help with all activities of daily living

• Requires full-time care

Communication skills are nearly gone

• Appears uncomfortable, but cries out when touched or moved

• Can no longer smile

• Either doesn't speak, or speaks incoherently, with just words or phrases

• May call or cry out repetitively, or groan or mumble loudly

• Can?t write or comprehend reading material

Voluntary control of the body increasingly disappears

• Can't control their movements. Muscles are rigid.

• Complete urinary and bowel incontinence

• Cannot walk, stand, sit up, or hold up their head without assistance. Falls frequently if not assisted or propped well.

• Bedridden.

• Can't swallow easily, may choke on food

• No more wandering; can't move voluntarily

Health declines considerably

• Frequent infections

• Seizures

• Loses weight

• Skin becomes thin and tears easily

• Reflexes are abnormal

The body shuts down

• May refuse to eat or drink

• Can't respond to the environment

• May quit urinating

• Little response to touch

• Sensory organs shut down: the organs may function correctly, but the brain can't interpret the input.

• May only feel cold and discomfort

• Exhausted, sleeps more

Personality changes and idiosyncratic behavior become extreme

• Apathetic, withdrawn (continues from early-stage Alzheimer's)

• Dulling of the personality

• May pat or touch things repeatedly

As the end of life approaches, the Alzheimer's patient may require around-the-clock care. It will be necessary for loved ones to decide whether that care can occur at home or in a facility. The guidance of a physician or a hospice team will be needed.

Please click into these links to find helpful information. 

• Alzheimers care giving
• Support and care giving
• Read a nurse's perspective on Alzheimer's Disease: Click Here

Part 1 Alzheimer's and Dementia
Part 2 Early Stages of Alzheimer's
Part 3 Mid Stages of Alzheimer's

Quick and Easy Weeknight Meals

Convenience and health don’t always go together on our plates. So much convenience food is highly processed and loaded with salt, fat, and added sugars. Coming up with quick, easy, healthy meals doesn’t have to be daunting, though. These are some of my favorite weeknight eats, plus tips to make your time in the kitchen more efficient.

Convenience is good.  Convenience is great.  I’m a very, very big fan of convenience.  I have two kids, a full-time job, and a deep, deep love of pie.

5 Tips for Quick, Easy, Healthy Meals

1. The secret to easy pasta or rice with veggies. Throw extra veggies into pasta water or in to steam with your rice every. Single. Chance.
2. Meet my family’s favorite recipe: their Falafel Pie.  I make use of pre-made foods for the crust and hummus filling and add delicious cucumber, tomatoes, yogurt, and olives to top it.  Works like a charm.
3. Double batches are your friend. I double-batch as much as humanly possible. Bean burritos work fabulously when doubled. Instead of making just enough for tonight, double or triple the recipe. Throw the rest in the freezer and reheat in the oven or microwave for a convenience meal that’s totally healthy.
4. Prep, prep, prep. When you get seasonal veggies, prep and freeze them. 
5. When in doubt, make a sandwich. 

For More and Original Article.

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