Quality improvement in any industry is important and healthcare is no exception. If so, healthcare even carries a higher call for quality since it deals with human lives. Case Managers can play a pivotal role in ensuring quality care at every phase of admission to follow up care. Without good quality measures, outcomes would drop and most importantly quality of human life or even death can result.
Quality improvement in healthcare starts with admission and ends with follow up care to ensure the best outcomes. Please also review AIHCP’s Case Management Certification Program and see if it meets your needs.
The article, “What is Quality Improvement in Healthcare?” by Danielle Gagnon looks closer at quality care in healthcare and how to maintain and improve it. He states,
“When healthcare leaders set goals for their organizations, such as preventing patient falls, or a medical system aims to lower opioid use after surgery, they use a process called quality improvement. But what is quality improvement in healthcare really about?”
Please also review AIHCP’s Case Management Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Case Management.
Loss is part of life. Everyone experiences loss eventually but unfortunately those who have yet to experience a significant loss sometimes are the least to understand it. They may be well intentioned but they create greater havoc in inept words or actions. They actually cause more damage by their words.
Grief and loss will eventually find them and only then will they truly understand the folly of what they thought. Even those trained in Grief Counseling who never experienced serious loss, cannot truly fathom the feelings of loss and despair. Even they, sometimes need grief counselors and peer groups.
Grief Counselors are trained to help the bereaved deal and cope with grief. Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification
It is hence very important to treat the grieving with a great respect. It involves acknowledging their grief and in some cases, sojourning with the individual. No trick or fancy phrase can cure their grief, but time, patience and a helping hand can help make the load less. Grief Counselors should not look to cure grief because it cannot be cured. Only the restoration of the loss can cure grief. It is because of this reality that Grief Counseling is more about helping one understand loss, identify the issues of a specific loss and learn to cope with that loss, while helping the person integrate the loss into one’s life. Loss is not removed from life but it is better understood and placed in one’s life.
This may not be what many wish to hear about grief. Maybe some hope the pain will go away or they will forget, but love and beauty that is lost can never be forgotten. Love continues in grief when the beloved is no longer present. This is a true reality of the fallen world and the mentality one must have if they wish to help those in grief.
Below are a few tips for those in Grief Counseling. A few “dos” and “do nots” in aiding someone who is going through a loss.
If helping someone after a loss, it is best to listen and be there, not necessarily say the “right” thing. In fact, there probably is not a right thing that can said but only avoiding the wrong thing to say.
Many phrases can cause more damage. Here are a few statements to avoid and why.
The statement, “I know what you are going through”. This statement belittles the current grief and begs the question, do you really know what someone else is feeling? Grief while universal is also unique. The grief situation is not about you but the person in grief. So while shared discussions can help, it is not the initial conversation that should be utilized but something when the person is less emotional and more open to discussions about the loss. Later it may be best to share an experience but never to assume you know what someone is feeling.
Another statement of error is any statement that starts with the words “At least”. This minimizes loss. Some good intentioned individuals may say well “at least your father lived a long life”. Does this truly settle the problem of the loss itself? One’s father is now dead. The loss is real whether the father lived a long life or not. Instead, it is best to acknowledge the loss and offer condolences.
Good intention statements can cause more problems than good on many occasions. Another example includes religion. Some may say, “Well its was her time” or “God wanted his angel” or “she is in a better place”. To the griever, no time is good to lose a loved one. It can also produce an anger against God for taking one’s loved one.
Some statements are not good intentioned at all and can be nasty. Statements as “It is not a big deal” or “you are overreacting it was just a cat” can all cause immense harm to the griever. Downplaying one’s grief does not help one overcome it but only inflames the pain. Again, acknowledgement of the grief at any level is key to helping the person express it.
Another classic statement is “you are strong, you will get over it”. This equates strength with not expressing or feeling pain and can be detrimental to one facing the grief. Statements that tell individuals they “need to be strong now” do not help them overcome grief. Instead, it forces them to hide the grief and put on a false mask that does not seek help.
Statements that acknowledge grief and the feelings are the most important. Statements that produce condolences and heartfelt cries are the most critical. Sometimes, no statement is needed but a long loving hug to a friend at a funeral. In other ways, actions are better than words. Cards, flowers, sending dinner, or helping with house work can play a big role. Taking time to just sit and listen to the bereaved is sometimes the best thing anyone can do for a friend.
Individuals are either terrified of death, avoid it at all costs, and have never experienced it. They have no way or understanding how to approach it especially when confronted with it when a family member or friend experiences it. This can lead to many awkward situations that cause more hurt than help.
Helping others without asking is sometimes the best. Simply by being there and listening can be the biggest difference in helping someone through grief instead of trying to say the perfect thing.
If you would like to learn more in how to the help the bereaved, please review the American Academy of Grief Counseling’s Grief Counseling Certification. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification.
Other resources include
“Whats Your Grief” blog article, “What to Say to Someone Whose Father or Mother Died” – Please click here
AIHCP’s Video,”Helping Those in Grief” Please click here
“Whats Your Grief” blog article, “What to Say to Someone Who is Grieving” Please click here
“Help Guides” article, “Helping Someone Who’s Grieving” Please click here
ADHD can hurt affect people in many ways and lack of sleep is no exception. A racing mind can cause multiple issues for someone who wishes to sleep. It is especially bad for children suffering from ADHD. Parents need to know how to best help their children with ADHD be better able to sleep.
Sleep and ADHD can be a difficult combination. Please also review AIHCP’s ADHD Consulting Program
The article, “What to do if a child with ADHD cannot sleep” by Zawn Villinas and reviwed by Akilah Reynolds looks at the issues of ADHD and lack of sleep. The article states,
” The relationship between ADHD symptoms and sleep problems can create a cycle that is challenging for children and their parents and caregivers. However, many strategies can help kids with ADHD have better sleep. In this article, we look at the relationship between ADHD and sleep, techniques for improving sleep, and when to seek support from a doctor.”
Please also review AIHCP’s ADHD Consulting Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in ADHD Consulting.
Helping someone through the loss of a pet is something many consider trivial but it is not. It is important to treat all losses as important and to learn how to help someone through listening and acknowledgement of their grief.
Good article on Pet Loss Grief. Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Program and see if it meets your needs
The article, ‘LOSING A PET” from the USdesk looks at how to talk and listen to someone who loses a pet. The article refers to some helpful ways to guide someone through the loss. The article states,
“While losing a pet is painful and overwhelming, unfortunately, it can also be a very lonely process, as community support typically associated with death is absent when a pet dies. To make matters worse, grieving owners may feel embarrassed over the extent of their own heartbreak and feel ashamed to reach out to friends for comfort.”
Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification
Many people who suffer pet loss are left without anyone to talk to. Many dismiss their grief. This type of disenfranchised grief is a common problem for pet owners. The need for good pet loss counseling is a necessary need for these individuals.
Losing an animal is a true loss. Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Certification
The power and impact of pet loss is best described in the article, “Disenfranchised grief: Why pet owners aren’t allowed to mourn” by Julie Mullins looks at disenfranchised grief of pet owners who lose a pet. The article states,
“Put simply, the human-animal bond is unique. Pet owners experience unconditional love emanating from their companion animal; without judgment, and full of complete acceptance. Many clients and staff can be heard uttering, “I like animals more than people,” as they walk around the hospital (if you haven’t heard it, maybe you have said it). Clients and staff alike refer to these animals as “fur babies.” With more and more clients living alone, these fur babies play an even more important role in their owner’s life.”
Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional needs. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Pet Loss Grief Counseling.
Pet loss is no different than other loss but it is sometimes dismissed and downgraded. Losing a pet is like losing family and it should be treated as such. If someone loses a dog or cat that has been with them for years and has been their closest companion, then the loss will hurt as if a person has died.
The loss of a pet can be traumatic and life altering. Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Certification
The article, “How to mourn the loss of a pet: ‘There are no rules, grief has no endpoint’” by Gemma White reviews how intense the loss of a pet can be. She states,
“Owners can sometimes face indifference or a lack of understanding from those who may not understand the place their pet held in their lives. But whether dog, cat, horse or hamster, the loss of a pet can have a devastating effect.”
Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Pet Loss Grief Support.
Working out is important but learning to work out correctly is equally important. Many injuries occur when individuals push themselves too hard or utilize improper technique. In order to stay in shape, it is important to stay healthy and staying healthy requires proper stretching and following proper technique
Injuries can occur if exercise is not done properly. Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Life Coach Program
The article, “These are the most common exercise injuries and how to avoid them” by Mercey Livingston looks at the most common types of injuries following or during exercise. She states,
“While everyone’s specific injuries are individual, in general, there are a few places that people injure most often when working out. “Back, knee and shoulder injuries are the most common I deal with in the fitness population,” says Liz Letchford, a certified personal trainer and injury rehabilitation specialist. The most common cause of injury, according to Letchford, is increasing the intensity of the exercise too quickly.”
A certified Health Care Life Coach or a professional trainer can help one avoid the many pitfalls of improper training and exercise technique. AIHCP offers a four year certification in Health Care Life Coaching for qualified professionals. The program is online and independent study. If interested, please review and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.
ADHD has a horrible affect on work and school. This is a known fact and is of no surprise that adults who do not manage and treat their ADHD also suffer poor work performances. Work requires focus and attention and ADHD just strips the individual of those abilities
ADHD medication helps keep employees focused in most studies. Please also review AIHCP’s ADHD Consulting Certification
The article, “Adult Work Productivity Decreases with Poor ADHD Medication Adherence” by Lilly Constance looks at a study that reviewed individuals who did not properly maintain their medication doses for ADHD and the correlation between that and work. The article states,
“Poor stimulant medication adherence was associated with greater absenteeism and indirect costs for adults with ADHD, according to a study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.1 The small study, which included 395 participants with low/medium adherence and 207 with high adherence to ADHD medication, found significantly greater levels of absenteeism, absenteeism-related indirect costs, and total indirect costs among the subjects with poor adherence”
Please also review AIHCP’s ADHD Consulting Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in ADHD Consulting.
Many individuals deal with depression and exhibit few if any symptoms. They are able to look content and happy and may even feel happy or have an uplifted mood at times. For the most part though, they feel unworthy and sad about life and are oppressed with depressive feelings. The ability to look well and smile and be able to function does not mean they are not depressed. This type of depression is difficult for professionals to diagnose due to the lack of symptoms that are hidden by the individual.
Individuals with smiling depression hide the sadness with a smile. Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Training
The article, “What Is Smiling Depression?” by Claudia Rodriguez and reviewed by Bethany Juby looks at what Smiling Depression is and how to work through it. The article states,
“While you might think that you’d notice signs of depression in someone, that’s not always the case. If you experience smiling depression, you may appear perfectly happy from the outside but have symptoms of depression behind closed doors.”
Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Training and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a certified Grief Counselor.
Hypnosis is an alternative therapy that helps with so many things. It helps with grief and anxiety as well. Some grief counselors work in concert with hypnosis as a way to help others overcome negative memories that cause intense grief.
Hypnosis can help one with grief and loss. Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Certification program
The article, “Does hypnosis work for anxiety, depression, and fear?” by Zia Sherrell and reviewed by Lea Lawrenz reviews how hypnosis can benefit those who suffer from depression, anxiety and fear. The article states,
“Hypnosis is an effective method of alleviating the symptoms of depression. Those with major depression have a decreased heart rate variability (HRV) — the variation in the time between consecutive heartbeats. According to one study, HRV significantly increases hypnosis, which may mean the technique could treat depression. However, the researchers used a very small sample size, so scientists need to carry out more studies to confirm these findings.”
Hypnosis is a great non evasive way to find results with grief.
Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Certification Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy
