Healthcare 101: 5 Ways to Help the Elderly in the Aging Process

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Healthcare 101: 5 Ways to Help the Elderly in the Aging Process and Pastoral Thanatology Certification

The Administration on Aging (AoA) reports the percentage of Americans 65 and older will reach nearly 20% by 2030 stretching this country’s resources dedicated to caring for the elderly. Whether you are a care provider, family member or just interested in making a difference; there are a number of ways to help the elderly in the aging process.

Navigating Health Care

Many of the elderly in this country are not equipped to manage their own health. Encouraging the elderly to establish a relationship with a primary care provider gives them an entry point into the health care system. A physician can help elderly patients understand care options, seek preventative care and remain connected to health services.

Understanding Medicare

Health insurance under Medicare can be very complicated. Helping the elderly understand the different Medicare programs including Part A for hospital and hospice expenses, Part B for medical expenses, Part D for prescription drug costs, and Medigap enables them to contract for insurance and get the appropriate access to care.

Promoting Positive Lifestyle

Two major issues facing the elderly are falls and depression. The University of Nevada’s School of Medicine reports falls as the number one cause of injury related death for individuals age 75 and older. Appropriate exercise will not only help reduce the risk of falls, it will also help prevent depression. WebMD estimates that six million Americans age 65 and older are impacted by depression. The elderly need to socialize and remain physically active to minimize the risks of falls and depression.

Preparing for the Inevitable

Preparation of an advance directive and will can lead to peace of mind for many elderly. Conversations about advance directives and wills are easier when the individual is healthy. These activities are emotionally empowering when done pro-actively but emotionally draining when done re-actively.

Expanding Resources

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports continued job growth in the area of gerontology. The US will need to expand its available resources in both government and private sectors to support the aging population. Individuals with a masters in gerontology will be equipped to help build out the infrastructure and services necessary to meet the needs of the elderly population in the future.

The elderly population is going to continue to grow. There are a number of ways to help the elderly during the aging process but those who choose to help need to understand the unique challenges and needs of this group.

 

About the Author:

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

 

Also, if you would like to have a more direct input into this topic and you if you are qualified, consider a Pastoral Thanatology Certification from AIHCP.

 

The Four Major Trends Driving Healthcare Job Growth

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Four Major Trends Driving Healthcare Job Growth and Holistic Nursing Certification

Whether the role calls for a physician or medical assistant, the need for qualified healthcare workers shows no signs of slowing down. Experts from a variety of medical fields agree that the decades ahead will show a robust growth in healthcare jobs working with patients, information technology, and medical records. This future job growth will be driven by four major trends.

Obesity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), predicts that 42% of Americans will suffer from obesity by 2030. Health conditions, sometimes terminal, linked to obesity include heart disease, diabetes, and cancer among others. Those patients will require treatments in cardiology and oncology.

Despite continued warnings from the healthcare community, public, and the media, obesity continues to prevail. In the Unites States alone, obesity has more than doubled over the past four decades. It is a simple fact that Americans live in a society that encourages food consumption—until this changes, the obesity epidemic will create a demand for more healthcare experts.

An Aging Population

Millions of baby boomers have reached retirement age. These individuals are living longer due to advancements in healthcare. Many have chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and high blood pressure that require ongoing medical attention, testing, and preventive care. As a result, the need for qualified healthcare professionals will increase. The retirement of healthcare professional will also open the door to additional career opportunities.

Information Technology Growth

Healthcare technology always seeks to improve through the reduction of errors, streamlined procedures, and the improvement of care that patients receive. These impending changes always require professionals who are adept at working with new technology. Healthcare workers with training from online radiology schools and those with information technology expertise will likely find their skills in demand as the role of technology in healthcare expands. Healthcare providers are increasingly required to play a role in helping educate and treat their patients. Healthcare equipment, ever-advancing, also requires an army of well-trained personnel.

Interest in Holistic Treatments

As interest in holistic healing strategies, alternative medicine and other non-traditional treatments increases, so does the demand for healthcare practitioners skilled in the administration of alternative therapies. Certified Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners are already finding the number of patients seeking them out increasing. Certain aspects of the Information Age, especially the widespread availability of information and educational materials becoming accessible to those who would not have otherwise known of alternative treatment options.

Healthcare practitioners skilled in the areas of massage therapy, chiropractic healing, aromatherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and other holistic therapies will find that patient trends demonstrate increased interest in holistic medicine. Mainstream practitioners, for this reason, will benefit from receiving education in CAM methods and possibly integrating alternative therapies into their patient treatments.

Conclusion

Diversity and culture are additional factors that will help drive the growth of healthcare jobs. Today, healthcare services in the Unites States are administered by multilingual healthcare specialists. The need for these specialists will only increase. Government mandates also affect the regulatory and legal aspects of healthcare initiatives. Staffing ratio laws are being lobbied by healthcare professionals that will increase the number of available healthcare professionals.

Those choosing to work in the healthcare field are aware that it will be around for years to come. It is a field that can offer competitive wages and the ability to work with a diverse group of people. Many industry professionals also take pride in helping others work through and cope with their illnesses.

About the Author: Marlena Stoddard is a freelance writer who received her BA from the University of Georgia.

 

If you would like to learn more about AIHCP’s Holistic Nursing Certification, then please review the program

AIHCP

 

The Unprecedented Nature of Individual Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard someone say they like ambiguity, I’d be pretty broke.  Studies show that making ambiguous decisions (based on little or conflicting evidence) actually activates areas of the brain associated with processing fear and emotion; thus proving that fear of the unknown is more than just an ominous …

Source: www.whatsyourgrief.com

Good article reminding us that grief while a empirical study based upon group studies of people and how they socially and emotionally react to loss, is still nonetheless a very individual experience.  To completely classify it, while important, still can be disastrous when dealing with an individual.

If you would like to learn more about bereavement counseling training, then please review the program

#bereavementcounselingtraining

64 Children’s Books About Death and Grief – What’s Your Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

When grief hits a family, children often become the focus – how to talk to them about death, how to recognize if they are grieving ‘normally’, how to create open communication and dialogue. etc.

Source: www.whatsyourgrief.com

Good article listing 64 books about death and grief for children.  Children can utilize these books to prepare or learn from an experience what death and grief are.

If you would like to become a certified grief counselor, then please review the program and see if it matches your academic and professional needs,

#becomeacertifiedgriefcounselor

Planning For End Of Life Costs

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The last few months are usually more expensive than the preceding years, and unexpected long-term care events and uncovered medical services can easily wipe out savings and inheritances.

Source: www.thinkadvisor.com

With death being so unpredictable, we should be planning ahead for end of life costs.  Whether chronic or sudden, we should consider how our last moments will be spent.  We ideally think it will be due to old age, so with this in mind, we should plan accordingly so that our final days are planned and we are prepared.

This is especially true with the potential need of hospice.

If you would like to learn more or would like to become certified in Pastoral Thanatology, then please review the program

#certifiedinpastoralthanatology

How we face the last stage of life

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

When told that she would be serving her internship at FairHoPe, a nursing student wasn’t too thrilled. She said when she first found out where her assignment would be many thoughts ran through her mind. And none of them were good.

Source: www.logandaily.com

Good article about how we will face the last stage of our life.  Will death be viewed as a medical event or a natural and spiritual event?  Where do we wish to die if it is in our hands?  The home or the hospital?

If you are interested in Pastoral Care courses for the dying, then please review our program

#pastoralcarecourses

4 reasons hospice, palliative care gaining momentum

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

A recent study took the healthcare industry to task for failing to provide adequate end-of-life planning and reduce patient suffering, yet there may be hope amid the gloom thanks to an increased emphasis on hospice and palliative care, futurist Ian Morrison, Ph.D., writes in an opinion piece for Hospitals & Health

Source: www.fiercehealthcare.com

A good article why hospice and palliative care are two types of care that are gaining momentum for seniors or those faced with terminal illness.

Good pastoral care and understanding of pastoral thanatology is important for caregivers. If you wish to learn more or become certified in Pastoral Thanatology, then please review the program

#certifiedinpastoralthanatology

Holistic Nursing Help To Make Eating Healthy Easier.

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

11 Holistic Nursing Ways to Make Dieting A Lot Easier.

Lets face it, dieting is not an enjoyable past time.  Holistic Nursing might not even be in your vocabulary.   If you are anything like me, you love bacon, cheese, desserts, and a few adult beverages.   Of course these foods are not diet friendly.   So how can you stay on your diet and still love the food you eat?  Hint, it is not as hard as it seem.   Luckily for us there are holistic healthcare tips to make dieting a lot easier and a lot more tasty!   An article from Active Times has 11 sure fire ways to keep you on your diet and loving it.

By Katie Rosenbrock
From Active Times

“Long commutes, long work days, busy schedules, kids, spouses, and other activities are all common challenges,” says Lisa Hugh, a Registered Dietitian and creator of “Single Ingredient Groceries”. “Shopping and cooking are chores that can be pushed aside by eating out, eating on the run, skipping meals, eating fast food, and drinking too much caffeine.”

Maybe you can’t find a way around your long work day or an extra busy schedule, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo healthy eating entirely.

Fruits on grass in the shape of a heart.
Holistic Nursing diet tips do not have to be bad tasting. Follow these 11 ways and put a little bit of flavor back in your diet.

As you can see, by keeping track of what you eat, making a plan, sticking to it, and giving yourself enough move to “Cheat” you can apply these holistic nursing tips to your diet.   Soon you will find out that you do not miss those bad for you foods when you keep healthier options on hand and at the ready.   If you are interested in learning more about becoming a holistic healthcare professional, you might want to check out our online certificate in holistic nursing.

 

How Stress Affects Your Health

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Wondering How Stress Affect Your Life?

Stress can strike anyone.   It is a natural part of life.   It can help us be at our best or it can bring us down to our worst.   How stress affects our health is by increasing blood pressure, keeping us up at night, to mental issues as well.   Stress can also cause chronic health issues as well.   It can affect our immune system, give us heart trouble, help us gain weight AND keep it on, etc.   So as you can see reducing stress does not only help you mental but can have long term health benefits as well.   A good article has more:

By Nick Tate
From NewsMaxHealth

“Job demands. Family squabbles. Relationship troubles. Financial pressures. All are common causes of stress, with studies showing at least two out of three Americans report experiencing moderate to high levels of it over the past month.”

Read the full article here http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Headline/stress-health-heart-cancer/2015/03/03/id/627928/#ixzz3TRdkVX1X

Large sign that says stress
Wondering how stress affects your life?

Still don’t believe stress can have that big of an impact on your life?   Take something that you worry about EG your job, bills, projects, etc and then imagine your life without it.   Does the thought of that stressor not being in your life give you a feeling of relaxation?   If so then that is how stress affects you.   You might benefit from stress reduction exercises.   For more please visit our certification in stress management consulting website.

8 Reasons Why Winter is the Worst (for grievers)

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

What’s cold, icy, really uncomfortable, and sometimes makes you sad? Gosh darn winter, that’s what. You can spare me your affinity for skiing, fresh fallen snow and curling up by a warm fire because I will swiftly counter with wet socks, slush, and lack of sunlight.

Source: www.whatsyourgrief.com

An excellent article on Winter and those who are going through the grieving process.  This article looks over 8 reasons why winter is the worst for grievers.

If you are grieving, see what relates and see if you can help yourself in regards to some of the issues that may be affecting you beyond the grief

If you would like to become a certified grief counselor, then please review the program

#certifiedgriefcounselor