There is an increase in the number of mild brain injuries reported. The rise in cases reported are due to various factors – among the most common are increased awareness, educational programs, and lifestyle choices. Mild brain injury can result from a blow or jolt to the head, leading to bruising or trauma to the brain surface. It is estimated approximately 1.4 million people are diagnosed with mild brain injury each year. Amazingly, 85% of those receiving treatment will make a full recovery. Despite the fact that more closed head injuries are being reported, there are still misconceptions about mild brain injuries.
When an individual initially experiences mild brain injury, losing consciousness may or may not occur. In fact, it is not unusual for a person to “feel fine” immediately following a hit to the head area. However, over a period of time, symptoms such as memory loss, dizziness, vomiting, blurred speech or vision, and headaches may manifest. In many situations people are not aware of a mild brain injury until symptoms appear weeks, or even months later. Regrettably, going undiagnosed happens frequently among children who may have encountered head trauma from sports, abuse from adults, or bullying. Common causes of mild brain injury are falls, car accidents, sports, war, skiing, and boating accidents.
In light of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, mild brain injury is a reality for many of our returning troops. Many of these young men and women will find it extremely difficult adapting to civilian life once they return because of head injuries sustained during combat. If brain injury victims do not receive timely therapeutic intervention, the recovery process can be prolonged. In addition, delayed treatment may lead to complications as temporary symptoms may become permanent. Most tragic is the fact that mild brain injuries may be fatal if undetected over an extended period of time.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Frozen Body Brings Flurry Of Fines And Lawsuit
On a freezing cold Winter day in 2005, an elderly man wandered away from a nursing home in which he was a resident. Four days later, following an intensive search by the local sheriff’s department, his body was found frozen in a nearby field. The gentleman had attempted to elope from the facility on two previous occasions. The facility in question was not equipped to provide dementia patients with the added levels of security required by the state. As dementia patients are considered “high risk” for elopement, it is essential to have the necessary safeguards in place to ensure safety. The facility was ultimately fined $12,000 by the state and placed on probation. In addition, the family of the deceased has retained the services of an attorney who has filed a negligence lawsuit.
Elopement issues are ranked in the top 10 on the Joint Commission’s list of Sentinel Events. The prevalence of elopement issues in care facilities in the United States is so pervasive that approximately 10% of all litigation cases have related concerns. Many of these long term care facilities and assisted living houses are being fined and literally being regulated out of business. For example, in Delaware a jury awarded a family $13 million in compensatory damages against a long term care facility. The average out of court settlement for 2009 was $393,650.
Elopement issues are ranked in the top 10 on the Joint Commission’s list of Sentinel Events. The prevalence of elopement issues in care facilities in the United States is so pervasive that approximately 10% of all litigation cases have related concerns. Many of these long term care facilities and assisted living houses are being fined and literally being regulated out of business. For example, in Delaware a jury awarded a family $13 million in compensatory damages against a long term care facility. The average out of court settlement for 2009 was $393,650.
Friday, June 25, 2010
"Whats Love have to do with it?"
How many times have you gone shopping or been out in your yard and heard your neighbors talking to their kids? Do parents ever think about the things they say to their kids? The other day I went to take the trash outside and I heard the neighbor to the south of us just cussing out their son. I tell you, it took my husband to hold me back from going over and bashing the man's mouth in. Then I went into the grocery store and some lady was just threating to slap her son. Kids will be kids! Infact, I couldn't see the kid do anything wrong. Nothing that warranted that type of talking to. Then my husband was outside oneday and the neighboor to the west of us was in his house screaming and cursing at his son. The worse thing about this is the neigh has a so-called non-profit geared to help children. Yeah, right! it's not the first time we have heard this guy scream, cursing and even spanking his kids. His wife is just as bad.
So, what's up with this type of communication?
Do we need to establish a program on mandatory parenting before people can have children?
Do people understand that kids will be children only for 18 years, then they will be adults for the rest of their lives. How you treat your kids will affect society when they get older. How you treat your kids now will determine how they will treat you when you get older and need them.
Do you love your kids? If so show them that you dearly love them. Tell daily that you love them.Listen to them when they are talking to you. Do ignore them, especially when they are little tots!
Spend time reading to your kids, play games with them. Don't ever let them feel like a burden.
I know some parent that feel they are above playing with their kids. But don't you know that's the best type of bonding you can do with your child. They will cherish the moments you spend with them the rest of their lives. I can remember when my dad use to get on the floor and play with my brother and I. I remember all the laughs and fun. I also remember asking my mom to play with us and she never would, she didn't have time. Well, now she's 75 years old, all alone, because nobody has time for her!
Remember, there's more to just saying I love you. You need to put action behind those powerful words.
Love your kids now and they'll love you even more later!
So, what's up with this type of communication?
Do we need to establish a program on mandatory parenting before people can have children?
Do people understand that kids will be children only for 18 years, then they will be adults for the rest of their lives. How you treat your kids will affect society when they get older. How you treat your kids now will determine how they will treat you when you get older and need them.
Do you love your kids? If so show them that you dearly love them. Tell daily that you love them.Listen to them when they are talking to you. Do ignore them, especially when they are little tots!
Spend time reading to your kids, play games with them. Don't ever let them feel like a burden.
I know some parent that feel they are above playing with their kids. But don't you know that's the best type of bonding you can do with your child. They will cherish the moments you spend with them the rest of their lives. I can remember when my dad use to get on the floor and play with my brother and I. I remember all the laughs and fun. I also remember asking my mom to play with us and she never would, she didn't have time. Well, now she's 75 years old, all alone, because nobody has time for her!
Remember, there's more to just saying I love you. You need to put action behind those powerful words.
Love your kids now and they'll love you even more later!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Resident Rights in Long Term Care Facilities
If you have someone living in a Long Term Care facility (nursing home), do you know their Rights? If not here is list of some of their rights that he or she has. Families have rights also. Just because the DON or ED ( Nursing Home Adminsitrator) calls to tell you your loved one has to move to another room so they can get admission doesn't mean you have to agree.
• The Resident has the right to be free of unnecessary physical or chemical restraints. Vests, hand mitts, seat belts and other physical restraints, and antipsychotic drugs, sedatives, and other chemical restraints are impermissible, except when authorized by a physician, in writing, for a specified period of time.
• Resident has the right to contact the physician responsible for the resident's care. Residents' rights provide the resident the right to participate in care planning meetings
• Resident has the right to know when there is a change in the resident's treatment, the facility must inform the resident and the resident's physician, legal representative or interested family member.
• The Resident has the right to gain access to all his or her records within one business day, and a right to copies of those records at a cost that is reasonable in that community. The facility must explain how to examine these records, or how to transfer the authority to obtain records to another person.
• The Resident has the right to receive a written description of his or her legal rights, explaining state laws regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney for healthcare and other advance directives, along with the facility's policy on carrying out these directives.
• The Resident at the time of admission and during the stay must be fully informed of the services available in the facility and of all related charges. Nursing homes may charge for services and items in addition to the basic daily rate, but only if they already have disclosed which services and items will incur an additional charge, and how much that charge will be.
• The Resident has a right to privacy. Which is a right that extends to all aspects of care, including care for personal needs, visits with family and friends, and communication with others through telephone and mail? Residents thus must have areas for receiving private calls or visitors so that no one may intrude and to preserve the privacy of their roommates.
• Residents have the right to share a room with a spouse, gather with other residents without staff present, and meet state and local nursing home ombudsperson or any other agency representatives. They may leave the nursing home, or belong to any church or social group. Within the home, residents have the right to manage their own financial affairs, free of any requirement that they deposit personal funds with the facility.
• Residents have the right to get up and go to bed when they choose, eat a variety of snacks outside meal times, decide what to wear, choose activities, and decide how to spend their time. The nursing home must offer a choice at main meals, because individual tastes and needs vary. Residents, not staff, determine their hours of sleep and visits to the bathroom. Residents may self-administer medication if they are deemed competent to do so.
• The Resident may bring personal possessions to the nursing home such as clothing, furnishings and jewelry. Residents may expect staff to take responsibility for assisting in the protection of items or locating lost items, and should inquire about facility policies for replacing missing items. Residents should expect kind, courteous, and professional behavior from staff. Staff should treat residents like adults.
• The Resident has the right to refuse being moved to a different room, a different nursing home, a hospital, back home or anywhere else without advance notice, an opportunity for appeal and a showing that such a move is in the best interest of the resident or necessary for the health of other nursing home residents.
• The Resident has the right to be free of interference, coercion, discrimination, and reprisal in exercising his or her rights. Being assertive and identifying problems usually brings good results, and nursing homes have a responsibility not only to assist residents in raising individual concerns, but also to respond promptly to those concerns.
• The Resident has the right to be free of unnecessary physical or chemical restraints. Vests, hand mitts, seat belts and other physical restraints, and antipsychotic drugs, sedatives, and other chemical restraints are impermissible, except when authorized by a physician, in writing, for a specified period of time.
• Resident has the right to contact the physician responsible for the resident's care. Residents' rights provide the resident the right to participate in care planning meetings
• Resident has the right to know when there is a change in the resident's treatment, the facility must inform the resident and the resident's physician, legal representative or interested family member.
• The Resident has the right to gain access to all his or her records within one business day, and a right to copies of those records at a cost that is reasonable in that community. The facility must explain how to examine these records, or how to transfer the authority to obtain records to another person.
• The Resident has the right to receive a written description of his or her legal rights, explaining state laws regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney for healthcare and other advance directives, along with the facility's policy on carrying out these directives.
• The Resident at the time of admission and during the stay must be fully informed of the services available in the facility and of all related charges. Nursing homes may charge for services and items in addition to the basic daily rate, but only if they already have disclosed which services and items will incur an additional charge, and how much that charge will be.
• The Resident has a right to privacy. Which is a right that extends to all aspects of care, including care for personal needs, visits with family and friends, and communication with others through telephone and mail? Residents thus must have areas for receiving private calls or visitors so that no one may intrude and to preserve the privacy of their roommates.
• Residents have the right to share a room with a spouse, gather with other residents without staff present, and meet state and local nursing home ombudsperson or any other agency representatives. They may leave the nursing home, or belong to any church or social group. Within the home, residents have the right to manage their own financial affairs, free of any requirement that they deposit personal funds with the facility.
• Residents have the right to get up and go to bed when they choose, eat a variety of snacks outside meal times, decide what to wear, choose activities, and decide how to spend their time. The nursing home must offer a choice at main meals, because individual tastes and needs vary. Residents, not staff, determine their hours of sleep and visits to the bathroom. Residents may self-administer medication if they are deemed competent to do so.
• The Resident may bring personal possessions to the nursing home such as clothing, furnishings and jewelry. Residents may expect staff to take responsibility for assisting in the protection of items or locating lost items, and should inquire about facility policies for replacing missing items. Residents should expect kind, courteous, and professional behavior from staff. Staff should treat residents like adults.
• The Resident has the right to refuse being moved to a different room, a different nursing home, a hospital, back home or anywhere else without advance notice, an opportunity for appeal and a showing that such a move is in the best interest of the resident or necessary for the health of other nursing home residents.
• The Resident has the right to be free of interference, coercion, discrimination, and reprisal in exercising his or her rights. Being assertive and identifying problems usually brings good results, and nursing homes have a responsibility not only to assist residents in raising individual concerns, but also to respond promptly to those concerns.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Normal Aging Process
Everyone ages differently depending on our lifestyle, genetic makeup, careers, race, and environment. Some ethnic groups age faster than others. Men and women age differently too. So what is "normal" for some people, country or group of people, may not be "normal" for others. Let's talk about the aging process for Middle Aged Americans.
When you are in between the ages of 35-65 some people may notice a slow physical decline. You notice you can't play sports like you did when you were in your 20's. You start to see, and feel the effects of the lifestyle choices you made when you were a teenager and young adult. Yikes! You begin to have a "Mid-Life Crisis". For some life is great! Your career is moving alone as planned. Your family is healthy, and happy. The perfect family in your eyes. For others, you're wondering what to do with your life. Your job/career sucks, and your stress is at an all time high.
About this time in Life having good nutrition and regular exercise are both essential for all adults, no matter how old you are, or think you are. As your body start to decline, you start to notice a decline in your mental powers as well. So you'll start a new exercise program and eat foods lower in calories to care for your physical needs and concerns. But wait! What about your mind ? What will you do to keep your mind healthy?
Many health enthusiasts will do a lot of things to keep their bodies looking good and feeling good, but they forget to do the same for their minds. People will work on improving their "Spiritual" walk, but forget to work on improving their cognitive functions. As we get older, we start to make poor decisions every now and then. This is "normal". We may forget to pay a bill once in a while. Forget the time, date or day, but will remember later. Some of us may forget words or how to spell certain words. And how many of you have forgotten where you placed your glasses, sunglasses, keys, wallet, comb, or even the remote. All of these are signs of a normal aging process, so you don't need to panic. These are not signs of any form of dementia.
What you should do to decrease dementia is to exercise your mind and feed your brain. Exercise your mind every day by being social. Do cross word puzzles, word problem games, and play Wheel of Fortune and or Jeopardy. Feed your mind with nutritious foods and snacks on a regular basis. Take vitamins and foods high in vitamins B & E. Watch your blood pressure, and do things to keep you feeling young and vibrant.
I encourage any one to add a comment and link to their blog or website to further educate people on having a healthy lifestyle.
When you are in between the ages of 35-65 some people may notice a slow physical decline. You notice you can't play sports like you did when you were in your 20's. You start to see, and feel the effects of the lifestyle choices you made when you were a teenager and young adult. Yikes! You begin to have a "Mid-Life Crisis". For some life is great! Your career is moving alone as planned. Your family is healthy, and happy. The perfect family in your eyes. For others, you're wondering what to do with your life. Your job/career sucks, and your stress is at an all time high.
About this time in Life having good nutrition and regular exercise are both essential for all adults, no matter how old you are, or think you are. As your body start to decline, you start to notice a decline in your mental powers as well. So you'll start a new exercise program and eat foods lower in calories to care for your physical needs and concerns. But wait! What about your mind ? What will you do to keep your mind healthy?
Many health enthusiasts will do a lot of things to keep their bodies looking good and feeling good, but they forget to do the same for their minds. People will work on improving their "Spiritual" walk, but forget to work on improving their cognitive functions. As we get older, we start to make poor decisions every now and then. This is "normal". We may forget to pay a bill once in a while. Forget the time, date or day, but will remember later. Some of us may forget words or how to spell certain words. And how many of you have forgotten where you placed your glasses, sunglasses, keys, wallet, comb, or even the remote. All of these are signs of a normal aging process, so you don't need to panic. These are not signs of any form of dementia.
What you should do to decrease dementia is to exercise your mind and feed your brain. Exercise your mind every day by being social. Do cross word puzzles, word problem games, and play Wheel of Fortune and or Jeopardy. Feed your mind with nutritious foods and snacks on a regular basis. Take vitamins and foods high in vitamins B & E. Watch your blood pressure, and do things to keep you feeling young and vibrant.
I encourage any one to add a comment and link to their blog or website to further educate people on having a healthy lifestyle.
Monday, June 7, 2010
CNN Reports on 200 Potentially hazardous Chemicals Babies are Exposed to while in the Womb
Every since our 13 year old was diagnosed with Autism with Developmental Delays, my husband and I said, the problem is in the air or in our food/water supply. I am a RN, my husband has a Master's Degree as a Rehabilitation Counselor. We both kept a clean fit life. We both are Christians,so neither one of us smoked or dranked any form of alcholic beverages nor did drugs. So we were shocked when we started noticing symptoms of an autistic baby.
We knew something wasn't quite right with our son. But we played down our suspicions, and focused on being great parents. As our son was growing we noticed he was not following the Developmental Chart for his age. Our son never could figure out how to crawl. He never cried when he was wet or hungry. He had to sleep with us from the time he was born till age 10.
As a toddler he always walked on his toes, fall backwards and bash his sweet little head in. When he was 3 years old doctors finally agreed with us that he was autistic.
Wow! we knew the news of autism was going to come, but it did not make it easy to accept. Why? how could this happen to us? We did everything possible to be healthy and do right so that we would have the perfect little boy! To add salt to our wounded emotions and ego. My sister who was an alcoholic/drug addict had her baby 1 month before me. Her son was perfect! He has had one issue with his heart which resolved it self. How could this happen? She did everything wrong and has a wonderful healthy son. We did everything right and our son who is healthy otherwise, has autism with developemental delays.
My husband and I have always said autism may be the results of the parents having altered genes. My brother he has 2 kids with Fragil X. My sister did not grow up in the same household as my brother and I.So, what was in our Denver, CO, middle income neighborhood that was different from my sister's Memphis Tenn. middle income environment?
CNN may have be able to support my husband's and my suspicions. CNN did a show called "Toxic Chemicals Finding their way into the Womb" Toxic America. In this show CNN reported that doctors/scientist found that babies were exposed to 200 potentially hazardous chemicals while in the womb.
These chemicals are: Bisphenol A, Perfluorochemicals,PBDEs,PCBs,Dioxinx, and Methylmercury. CNN reports that "232 chemicals were found in the cord blood of 10 babies last year."
This is alarming people! We need to wake up smell the wilthering roses and take action here! We need companies and the govenrment to investigate what is going on! Go to http://cnn.com/2010/health for more on this article and the show.
We knew something wasn't quite right with our son. But we played down our suspicions, and focused on being great parents. As our son was growing we noticed he was not following the Developmental Chart for his age. Our son never could figure out how to crawl. He never cried when he was wet or hungry. He had to sleep with us from the time he was born till age 10.
As a toddler he always walked on his toes, fall backwards and bash his sweet little head in. When he was 3 years old doctors finally agreed with us that he was autistic.
Wow! we knew the news of autism was going to come, but it did not make it easy to accept. Why? how could this happen to us? We did everything possible to be healthy and do right so that we would have the perfect little boy! To add salt to our wounded emotions and ego. My sister who was an alcoholic/drug addict had her baby 1 month before me. Her son was perfect! He has had one issue with his heart which resolved it self. How could this happen? She did everything wrong and has a wonderful healthy son. We did everything right and our son who is healthy otherwise, has autism with developemental delays.
My husband and I have always said autism may be the results of the parents having altered genes. My brother he has 2 kids with Fragil X. My sister did not grow up in the same household as my brother and I.So, what was in our Denver, CO, middle income neighborhood that was different from my sister's Memphis Tenn. middle income environment?
CNN may have be able to support my husband's and my suspicions. CNN did a show called "Toxic Chemicals Finding their way into the Womb" Toxic America. In this show CNN reported that doctors/scientist found that babies were exposed to 200 potentially hazardous chemicals while in the womb.
These chemicals are: Bisphenol A, Perfluorochemicals,PBDEs,PCBs,Dioxinx, and Methylmercury. CNN reports that "232 chemicals were found in the cord blood of 10 babies last year."
This is alarming people! We need to wake up smell the wilthering roses and take action here! We need companies and the govenrment to investigate what is going on! Go to http://cnn.com/2010/health for more on this article and the show.
Elder Neglect
When it comes to determining what is abuse and what is neglect, it could be hard to distinguish between the two, Most of the time neglect of an elderly person will lead to abuse.
What is Elder Neglect?
Elder neglect is when a caregiver fails to fulfill an obligation of providing proper/adequate care. This act can be intentional or unintentional.
What are signs of Elder Neglect?
Bedsore on a bedridden person
Weight loss or malnutrition sanitary or unsafe living conditions
What should you do if you suspect someone over 65 years of age being abused?
If you suspect anyone over the age of 65 being abused, contact your local Police, Ombudsman, Social Services-Adult Protective Services or the person's Physician. Watch for sign of abuse and neglect. Document and photograph any bruises, the condition the person may be in, or any injuries. If you suspect a person is mal-nourished, look in their cabinets and refrigerator. Photograph or video what you see so there is evidence. Note is there are any pattern of abuse by a specific person. If the person is in a nursing home. Contact the Director of Nurses, the Nursing Home Administrator, and Ombudsman regarding any questions or concerns you may have regarding a loved one's care.
If you are still dissatisfied with the answers or results to your questions or concerns, then contact your State Department of Health (SDH). In most states the SDH regulates/monitor long term care facilities, assisted living facilities, hospitals and home health care agencies.
What is Elder Neglect?
Elder neglect is when a caregiver fails to fulfill an obligation of providing proper/adequate care. This act can be intentional or unintentional.
What are signs of Elder Neglect?
Bedsore on a bedridden person
Weight loss or malnutrition sanitary or unsafe living conditions
What should you do if you suspect someone over 65 years of age being abused?
If you suspect anyone over the age of 65 being abused, contact your local Police, Ombudsman, Social Services-Adult Protective Services or the person's Physician. Watch for sign of abuse and neglect. Document and photograph any bruises, the condition the person may be in, or any injuries. If you suspect a person is mal-nourished, look in their cabinets and refrigerator. Photograph or video what you see so there is evidence. Note is there are any pattern of abuse by a specific person. If the person is in a nursing home. Contact the Director of Nurses, the Nursing Home Administrator, and Ombudsman regarding any questions or concerns you may have regarding a loved one's care.
If you are still dissatisfied with the answers or results to your questions or concerns, then contact your State Department of Health (SDH). In most states the SDH regulates/monitor long term care facilities, assisted living facilities, hospitals and home health care agencies.
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