Things to Consider When Taking or Planning to Take Dietary Supplements

It's almost dizzying thinking about how many nutrients the human body needs, and naming them, to become perfectly healthy. Most people who want to maintain their health and shape jump on the commercial bandwagon and take a bottle or two of the dietary supplement that promises to give them the specific nourishment they lack.

Even with all such good intentions, mistakes are often waiting to be made. It must be noted that many of such golden promises of products and endorsements are neither true nor meant to address your specific health need. Apart from the obvious untrue claims, there are also other pitfalls you should be on the lookout for.

Here are some things you should remember when taking that route:

1.Let your doctor know about it.

We all have different nutritional needs. Regardless of how sure you are about yours following all the tests you underwent and the results they revealed, be sure to ask your physician or nutritionist about the supplement you will be taking. This is mostly advised to individuals who are undergoing medication or suffer from health conditions. Special needs or deficiencies need to be addressed by health professionals, who will be prescribing you with the right product and dosage.

2. Don't be too dependent on the pill.

Remember that a dietary supplement is not synonymous with an instant fix. You have to remain focused on healthy and regular eating, working out or exercising, getting enough sleep and refusing to be stressed out. These can aid you in attaining the right, specific nourishment for your body. Make sure you don't treat it like your primary source of nutrients.

3. Don't be the gullible customer.

We reiterate this common problem because it is becoming a topic of heated debates. Not all supplements can make it happen for you. Beware of counterfeits and unapproved pills which claim to be the best product you can get your hands on. Get to know the manufacturer or source of your product of choice, and patiently read the ingredients. Doing your homework through researching and finding reviews might just save you precious shopping time and money.

4. Make sure you can afford it for long-term use.

The most reliable food supplement products don't come cheap. They are often made from the finest, verified ingredients, nicely bottled and accurately labeled, and clinically proven to work. Consider if you have the financial capacity to purchase this product, which you will be taking each day or each week for as long as necessary. It's an investment you have to make, so be sure you do have the financial capacity for this purchase you might be making for a longer period of time.

Tips For Successful Transitioning From The Hospital To Home Health Care

During the transition from hospital to home health care, patients face a significant risk of adverse events which may negatively affect patient safety leading to readmission or even worsening of health and death. Events such as falls and missed doses come to mind. Ensuring that the patient's transition from home to health goes smoothly care is a collective responsibility for the medical staff, the patient and their intended caregiver. Below are some tips that could help to facilitate the process:

1. Proper information- it is important to get information about various aspects regarding the patient's condition. These include:

- A detailed listing of diagnosis and all the procedures that were performed. This comes in handy in case the patient has to be readmitted at a different hospital.

- An accurate guide on diet requirements and restrictions, treatments, post-discharge therapy.

- A list of key contacts including doctors, pharmacists and home care agency representatives among others. If possible collect their business cards for safe keeping.

- A realistic assessment of the patient's outlook- this should include expected recovery time and symptoms of relapses.

- A list of available community and hospital resources. Ensure you have information on all facilities that can handle the patient's illness.

It is vital that a high level of communication is maintained between the hospital staff and the patient even after they have been discharged.

2. Caregivers are very important- It is not safe for a patient who has just been discharged to be by themselves at home. When a patient returns home from hospital they tend to have lingering effects such as pain, dizziness and muscle weakness. This makes performing certain tasks difficult and they are especially vulnerable to falls. If you are the one being discharged ensure you have a caregiver. This can be a family member, friend or even a hired professional home care attendant. If you have a loved one coming home, consider getting caregiver training. Learn how to take care of them while they are still in the hospital so that you fit into the role seamlessly. Don't be afraid to ask hospital staff to demonstrate certain tasks and also ask their realistic expectation of what the future will be like.

3. Medication management- this is one of the most vital aspects of home health care. In most cases, once a patient is discharged the medication routine will change leaving room for errors. It is important that you verify medication by brand name before leaving the hospital so that there is no confusion in case you have to buy the medication. Ensure you understand why old medication has been stopped, what new medication does and the kinds of reactions and side effects to expect if any.

4. Prepare the patient's home and acquire the necessary home care equipment- various adaptations will need to be done to various aspects of the home to ensure the patient is as comfortable and as safe as possible. Remove excess clutter to allow easy passage and clear items such as cords and area rugs that increase the risk of falls. You may need to install a ramp in place of stairs to facilitate movement of a wheel chair. You may also need to bring in equipment such as a hospital bed, stethoscope and wheel chair among others.

5. Prepare for additional expenses- it is important to plan for how to raise additional funds required to sustain various aspects of home health care. Running out of money can be very risky since the patient may be unable to acquire required medication and other needs. Some services of home care are covered by medical insurance which may help to ease the financial burden.

6. Timing of the discharge- the patient should be discharged only when the doctor thinks they are ready to go home. Hasty discharging could prove fatal. Some patients insist on being discharged as soon as possible disregarding what is best for them. In such cases it is up to the doctor to be assertive and do what is in the best interest of the patient. In case of early discharge the hospital staff should take a keen interest in the patient's welfare. They should only be allowed to leave if there is a suitable post discharge place where they can go to and be assured of good care.

6 Tips to Understanding the Non Medicare Home Health Care Agency A Guide For Our Aging Population

The non Medicare home health care agency will meet the needs of an aging population. Surveys of those over 50 years old, consistently shows that nearly 90 percent of them want to remain in their homes and communities as they age.

We are an aging population that is living longer and healthier than previous generations. So it is important to plan and prepare for those years when we may need assistance of some kind.

Preparation and planning for those years should start while you are still well and able to make decisions about the future. Many of the aging population ignore that there will be a need of any kind for assistance in the future. Many will wait, until an emergency or crisis occurs, then they are ready to take action. For many, the lack of planning and preparing means they will not be able to return to their home or their community. Many individuals that have been placed in a nursing home are there because they did not plan for those unplanned events life throws our way.

Consider all the possibilities

Preparing for remaining at home and in the community as we age requires identifying what we want to accomplish and taking a look in to the future. It may not be a pleasant thought, but consider all the possibilities that you may have to experience as you age. Don't count on family members to be there to assist you. Remember, you are looking into the future and you do not know what the future will bring.

Will you need assistance with transportation, cooking, laundry, bathing or dressing? If these scenarios did occur, how would you pay for the services you may need?

More on An Aging Population Guide to the non Medicare Home Health Care Agency...

Did you know that the present cost of having a non Medicare home health care agency today averages about $20 an hour? That an assisted living facility can cost on average $36,000 a year. A nursing home can cost over $77, 000 a year.

When planning and preparing for aging, it is important to consider how to pay for the services we are gong to need.

Surveys of those over the age of 50 years old show that most aging adults want to do things on their own terms, in their own way. They want to maintain control over their life as they age. Planning and preparing for the future now, will allow you to maintain control over your situation as you age.

Is long term care insurance an option

Investigate long term care insurance. Contact a reputable company and discuss your options. It is important to ask about home health care and a cost of living rider. Since we are an aging population that is living longer and healthier, you cannot be sure when you may need those services. With the rising costs of healthcare you want to be prepared and able to make you goal of aging at home a reality.

A non Medicare home care agency can provide a variety of services to support you to remain in your home as long as possible. It is the goal of the home health care agency to determine your needs and provide you with the level of service you require.

When the time comes for utilizing a non Medicare home health agency, it is important to interview several and compare.

Some important things to look for in an agency are:

    Material that provides information on funding sources, eligibility requirements and fee schedule. Do they have an annual report available to review about the company?
    Do they provide educational material to the aging adult, as well as to the family regarding health/mental health conditions pertinent to the diagnosis of the aging adult?
    Are you part of a franchise? How long has the office been in business? Are you licensed by the state? Do you have to participate and be surveyed by the state to maintain your licensure? If so, do you have results from your survey?
    Can they meet any specific cultural or language needs of the aging adult?
    Do they offer ongoing case management services?
    Do they include the family in the plan of care? How often is the plan reviewed and revised?

The aging population will benefit from utilizing the non Medicare home health care agency in the future. It takes planning and preparation so that you can be in control of your life as you age. Don't allow the health care system to determine where and when you will live as you age.

Do Home Health Care Products Allow You to Adjust Your Home to Meet Your Need For Successful Aging

Many home health care products promote independence and freedom for those individuals that require assistance with any function they are no longer capable of doing for themselves. These products actually allow an individual to successfully age in place.

There are a variety of home health care products on the market today. For every condition or symptom, there is a home health care product to offer a solution. The key to successful aging in place is for the consumer to become aware of those solutions.

Let's start with the basic activities we perform each day. Bathing, dressing, brushing your teeth, shaving and combing your hair are functions we perform everyday and take for granted. For some, the ability to do these tasks can feel as if performing that function is insurmountable. Finding the right home health care product can make performing that task possible.

It is important to note here, that many well meaning care givers would rather perform the task for their aging loved one, instead of painstakingly watching an individual attempt to perform the task themselves.
Please remember, that self reliance is important to an individuals self esteem. The tiny victories of being able to perform the simplest of tasks can have an overwhelming boost of self confidence for your aging loved one. Celebrating those small successes can lead to confidence to attempt a larger task.

Every task an individual can do for themselves promotes an increase in building strength and endurance as well. Caregivers do not be so quick to do things for others. Allow, encourage and promote independence as you are caring for your aging loved one.

If you assess that there is a function or task that is difficult for your aging loved one to do, it is time to investigate the variety of home health care products to find a solution.

Safety is also a major concern for those that want to age in place. Many aging seniors have a fear of falling. This is a justifiable fear as falls rob the aging seniors of their independence and freedom. There are a variety of home health care products that promote safety and security for successful aging in place.

Something as simple as raised toilet seat can make a difference in the ease of getting up and down with out having difficulty. Grab bars strategically placed in the bathroom and bedroom can promote confidence and insure safety. Scald guards in the shower can prevent burns, non slip mats or strips are proactive measures to prevent a fall.

Today's homes were built for the young and growing family. The builders never considered the aging individuals that would remain in those homes long after their families were grown and gone. Today's seniors want to remain in the comfort of their homes, and age in familiar surroundings.

Home health care products allow you to adjust your home to meet your needs and achieve successful aging in place. There are a variety of products ranging from portable ramps to stair lifts to promote safety and mobility.

Although safety and independence are the key factors for utilizing home health care products, it is also important to remember the social and recreational side of your aging senior.

It is important to everyday life to find joy, happiness and recreation. Many aging seniors have interests or hobbies that have helped them, not only enjoy life, but help pass the time involved in an enjoyable activity. For some, the simple act of writing a note can be perceived an impossible task. There are writing instruments and even scissors adapted to suit almost every physical condition.

There are large print cards and games for the vision impaired and adaptive equipment for making reading a book easier.

There are solutions to making physical transfers easier from one place to another, adaptive devices that decrease pain and improve comfort. Caregivers need home health care products as well, to make their lives easier. When you are dealing with a loved one, nothing is more unnerving than not to be able to make our aging loved one comfortable. There are inexpensive assisted devices that can promote comfort and decrease stress.

Home health care products promote independence for successful aging in place. Take time to assess, communicate and investigate solutions to problems that present themselves to you. There is a home health care product out there to meet the needs of you aging senior.

Elderly Care - Medical Vs Non-Medical Home Health Care - Discover What You Need

Medical Home Health Care vs. Non-medical Home Health Care...if you are reading this, you are likely among the thousands of caregivers needing help caring for a loved one at home. What is the difference?

One significant difference is who pays the bill... you or insurance?

With a doctors order and insurance that is accepted by the agency and covers home care, these services are generally covered. Medical home care provides skilled medical services such as:

    Registered Nurse
    Physical Therapy
    Occupational Therapy
    Speech Therapy
    Home Health Aid
    Medical Social Worker

These medical personnel can only come to your home by an order from the doctor. This can be initiated by a trip to the doctor, a call to the doctor and sometimes a call to a home care agency explaining your difficulty. They can then contact the doctor.

Several questions need to be answered at this point to help you decide what you need.

    Is the patient recently home from the hospital?
    Is the patient falling at home?
    Are you confused about what medications to give the patient?
    Is there a significant change in functional ability or decline in activity level recently?
    Is the patient frequently going to the ER?

Yes to 2 or more of the above questions may indicate a potential need for medical home health care.

Discussing your felt need with your doctor will help you understand the issues and the answers.

Non-medical home care

If you and your doctor have ruled out the need for medical home care but you still feel you need some help, consider non-medical home care. Non-medical care means just that. Non medical. These services are often referred to as companion services.

Your best bet is to Google "home health assistance" or the like. You can always call a business and ask if they provide non-medical home care assistance. Beware though, most medical home care company's WILL provide solely a home health aid but at a ridiculous price. You may find better rates by hiring a company who provides only non-medical home care assistance. This is what they do best and they generally do it well.

Do your homework and use your phone. Ask the agency how long their workers have been there. Don't be afraid to pay a little more if you feel you are following your gut. You are depending on these people to give you or your loved one the proper care and respect that they need and deserve.

10 Tips For Choosing the Perfect In-Home Health Care Agency

When caring for your aging parent or loved one becomes overwhelming and you need a break, or when extra help is needed with bathing, feeding, dressing, household duties or if caring for them yourself is just not possible anymore, selecting an in-home health care provider is a good alternative. Proper screening is essential to ensure that the person you choose has, not only the skills to provide excellent care, but also the right personality for the job. Consider these tips and hints and you will find that hiring an in-home heath care provider does not have to be stressful. 1. Evaluate Your Loved One's Needs While some older adults just need assistance with basic living skills, others have additional health care needs that require a special skill set. Therefore, it is necessary to make a list of all of the duties that an in-home health care professional will need to provide so you can narrow down the list of candidates early on. If you are hiring through an agency, give them as much information from the start so they can match you up with someone who possesses all of knowledge and capabilities to give the best care possible to your loved one. If your home health care worker will be assisting with bathing or dressing, it is important to discuss this with your loved one to make sure that they are comfortable with the gender of the companion. Women or men may become embarrassed when opposite gendered health care workers assist them with personal care and this may cause bath time to become stressful. 2. Speak With Local Experts Before you go to the yellow pages or check out the classifieds for home heath aids, speak with neighbors, doctors, and elder care providers locally who can give you some recommendations and advice. Find out where other families have found in-home help and have them tell you about their experience. An administrator at a local nursing home may also have some suggestions for you on where to locate the best care giver. Support groups are a wealth of information, as well. 3. Create a Job Description When you are ready to begin speaking with applicants and conducting interviews, start by writing a job description. The job duties can serve as talking points for your interview and also give the applicants a clear picture of what will be required of them. 4. Prepare Interview Questions If you are not experienced at conducting formal interviews, you will benefit greatly by having a prepared list of questions. It will help you stay in control of the interview, not miss any key points, and make the best use of your time. Write it all down. 5. Outline an Employment Contract Even if the person you select comes highly recommended and you and your family really hit it off with them, make sure to remain professional. This includes having them sign a contract that outlines your expectations, their duties, as well as boundaries. You can then refer back to the contract should a situation arise in the future. Often Home Health Agencies prepare the contracts themselves. Be sure to read them carefully and add anything that you wish to be included. 6. Personally Screen Candidates Since the person you hire will be spending time alone with your parent or loved one, it is essential that you approve them yourself. Having an agency just send someone over is not acceptable in this situation. Even if they can paint a picture of a candidate's qualifications, because the job of health care provider is so intimate, personality is equally as important. If your loved one is able to participate in the interview, that is ideal. Regardless, they should spend some time together to make sure that they click. 7. Conduct a Background Check Do not trust your intuition. When you think that you have found the person you want to hire, do conduct a background check to make sure that the person you hire does not have a questionable past. 8. Check References Even if this is their first job in the field of health care, every applicant should be able to provide references. Ideally, these should come from past employers. Otherwise, professors, internship supervisors, and personal references can also be used. 9. Protect Your Home and Family Since the health care provider you hire will most likely have free access to your home, possessions, and family members, find out if they are bonded. It they are not bonded themselves, find out if the agency that you hired them from is. Remember not to leave credit cards, checkbooks and personal papers in unsecured areas. 10. Stay Involved Your job is not over once the contract is signed and employment has begun. The more of a presence you have in your loved one's life the better. Even if you can not be there in person, scheduling telephone meetings can let the health care provider know that you are involved and on top of things. Ask for progress reports and find out if there are any difficulties. Since the health care provider is around your loved one the most, they can give you the best information about their physical health as well as their state of mind. One way to stay involved is to use a caregiver's organizer (which we just happen to offer on our website). The Caregiver's Companion is an organizational tool that has sections for personal information, family history, medications and side effects, medical appointments, and home health care workers notes. I hate selling, but this IS a very good tool in my opinion.