AFP Health Reviews

There is a pressing need to understand elderly health care needs because today these needs are a lot different than was the case a century ago. Today, old age is a major reason for deaths in the US and in fact just in the nineties, the major causes for deaths in the US were heart diseases as well as cancer, and strokes – which together accounted for almost two-thirds of all deaths amongst Americans aged sixty-five or older.

Cannot Cope

In fact, experts reckon that modern society has been unable to cope with elderly health care needs and so swift and effective action needs to be taken on this account. The sad truth is that elderly people in the US are very prone to contracting chronic diseases that will have the cumulative effect of impairing the ability of such elders to do their everyday tasks normally and routinely.

There are many statistics that point out the seriousness of the situation that in turn highlight how important is the need to address elderly health care needs. For example, in the early nineties, the elderly that suffered from chronic ailments were about thirty-nine percent.

These percentages should help concerned authorities understand that elderly health care needs are such that if left untended or untreated there would be greater numbers of deaths among the aged; or at the very least, it would mean that the elderly would require urgent medical aid if they are to survive whatever ails them.

One of the most pressing of all elderly health care needs is getting home care. For those seniors that are disabled their whole lives will depend on the type of care they are provided. What’s more, since the lifespan of women has grown they form a greater proportion of the elderly and in fact they also form a large part of all single households. This in turn means that elderly health care needs for women are quite different as compared with those of the male population.

However, at the same time as more and more elderly are need of health care there has been a sharp decline in the numbers of caregivers and this in turn has led to about eighty percent of elderly health care needs being provided by relatives (mostly, women) and furthermore, the type of such care given to the elderly depends to a great extent on the goodwill of the family members that are doubling as caregivers.

To ensure that people are able to enjoy better health it is important that they pay close attention to what health care provider’s advice them to do. After all, if you are going through the trouble of visiting a person to get health care it only stands to reason that you pay heed to the advice they give you.

Healthy weight loss tips will always be something which individuals are searching for if they’re thinking about weight loss.

However , people try to lose weight too quickly. You’ve to sit lower and consider the best time to lose weight. Make certain that it’s not really a demanding time for you. Stress makes it harder to lose weight. Pick a period when you realize you won’t be stressed.

Getting selected a good time, you’ll need to plan how you’re going to lose the pounds you’ve placed on.

It doesn’t have to be considered a detailed plan but simply a fundamental outline. Don’t set impractical goals. You won’t meet these and you’ll jeopardise you weight loss goals. Goal to lose a couple of pounds per week to begin with. This really is easy for many people to achieve without an excessive amount of effort. After that you can progress came from here. This is when it may get a little harder. You’ll have to start searching in the food you’re eating and what’s within the food.

The very first factor you’ll need to do is enter into the habit of smoking of examining the items in the meals.

Make certain that it’s not full of fat. Additionally, you will have to check that it’s lower in sugars and salt. Fundamental essentials primary stuff that put weight on people. Cutting back on both of these things is a superb way to start losing weight. The following factor to consider is how big the amount you eat. Try to keep the portion size to around 500 calories. This might not appear like lots of calories but it’s all that’s necessary for a weight loss meal. You need to goal to eat 4 foods close to 500 calories. Next, be sure to consider the occasions that you simply eat your foods.

You will must eat something inside an hour of getting out of bed. If you don’t like eating much first factor each morning then simply have a blueberry or perhaps a bowl of whole meal to provide you with the energy to start your entire day. Individuals who eat inside the first hour are usually slimmer.

Making these small alterations in your eating routine will place you on the right path to your weight loss goals.

If you like this article and want to read more on this topic, please visit us here: lose belly fat women

Your brain fitness kit might include lots of tools, including sound and light machines, meditation, Chi machines, biofeedback, but I bet it does not yet include brain fitness software.

For all these years, about 5.5 decades, I have been putting words into my head from lots of books, and that was the brain fitness kit I was instructed to use as a kid.

I ate some fruit and vegetables and slept reasonably well, but did not ever worry about things like omega 3’s. You can get your very important Omega 3’s from fish or through supplementation.

Technology is helping us see how brain fitness regimens or tools enhance synaptogenesis, or the growth of new synapses.

What are those tools? There are many useful, new options that I have tried.

But first, I want to let you know about some of the tools I have used.

Over the years I have used the David sound and light machines, Hemi-Sync binaural beat tapes, Transcendental Meditation, daily prayer and meditation, Open Focus, EEG Biofeedback brainwave biofeedback, HeartMath heart rate variability biofeedback, and the Wild Divine heart rate variability biofeedback and galvanic skin response biofeedback, and I have studied Chi Gong for the last eight and 1/2 years.

Of those tools, I use Chi Gong and Heartmath most frequently for myself.

But now there are computerized programs, like the Posit Science Brain Fitness program, based on the research of Michael Mezernich and his team, which is designed to work with the auditory processing system in my brain. Sounds called phonemes challenge the auditory processing loop to function more coherently. (Neurons that fire together wire together). When those neurons relearn to fire closely together, then the noise in my brain is reduced, and I can function with more confidence.

Brain fitness tools leave me feeling more confident, relaxed, focused.

I am also using three other brain fitness programs in my brain fitness kit.

They are Lumosity, Brain Builder 3.0, and Mind Evolve.

Lumosity is a quick hitting online series of exercises designed to work your working memory, spatial memory, processing speed, attention, cognitive control, and name recognition. You can sign-up online, and use the tools at your convenience. As you progress, you move into more difficult challenges.

Daily practice on those tools is reassuring for the Boomer Dad.

This program emphasizes the ‘dual n back’ task and it has some excellent research to read, if you are so inclined.

What is very reasssuring for me as a consumer is to read the endorsement of other professionals like Simon Evans, Ph.D. and Paul Burghardt, Ph.D. for the dual n back task and research. Dr. Evans also reports that he likes the Lumosity program, which gives me a sense that my hunch was valid.

Any good brain fitness kit is going to include regular exercise, good sleep, and novel challenge using brain fitness programs.

The Atlanta Weight Loss Management experts at Caf Physique help clients with living a healthy lifestyle. You’ll learn how to lose weight safely and improve your eating habits.

Caf Physique is an Atlanta Weight Loss Management with a desire to help anyone and everyone learn how to get fit and eat healthy for the rest of their lives. A personal fitness instructor works with you to design an exercise program that fits your current fitness levels while challenging you to reach the next level. However, weight loss only begins with exercise; it takes good nutrition to make the effort really show.

You’ll also work with a nutritionist and dietitian to help design meal plans that meet all of your needs. Eating right while working out helps you achieve your weight loss goals that much more quickly. Your health also benefits from the changes, and you’ll feel like a new you in no time flat.

The beauty of Caf’ Physique is that their experts come to you if you can’t come to them. Mobile training means a nutritionist or dietician and personal fitness instructor come to your home. They help you plan your meals and create a workout routine that can easily be done in the home.

Caf Physique’s Atlanta Weight Loss Management wants to show you that you can lose weight and keep it off. No more following fad diets that help you lose but don’t show you how to make the pounds stay away. Instead, you’ll learn how exercise and eating right helps you feel and look your best, no matter what stage of life you are in. Visit http://www.cafephysique.com for more information about our services and how we can help you get to where you want to be.

Caf Physique is an Atlanta-based fitness and nutrition company specializing in private in-home and on-site personal training, yoga and Pilates. Supporting individuals of all fitness levels working towards creating healthier lifestyles, Caf Physique also offers customized nutrition services and wellness coaching conducted by registered dietitians.

Amber O’Neal is Caf Physique’s founder. With over 9 years of professional fitness experience and a passion for healthy living, Amber is a well-respected expert who hosts seminars and conducts workshops for audiences across the nation. A certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer through American Council on Exercise (ACE), and a member of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, Amber is also a freelance fitness and nutrition writer who has been featured in newspapers, websites, national television and national magazines such as Marie Claire and Heart & Soul.

Caf Physique
PO Box 7549
Atlanta, GA 30357

(404) 444-2857

Content distribution by Atlanta SEO Company Vayu Media

Book Review: Reengineering Health Care: A Manifesto for Radically Rethinking Health Care Delivery by James Champy and Harry Greenspun, MD.

Jim Champy has become well known within the business world for his books and leadership in business transformation. His first book with the late Michael Hammer, Reengineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution, released in 1993, sold three million copies. He has since written seven additional books including Reengineering Management.

Reengineering Health Care, which he wrote with Harry Greenspun, MD starts out with the simple question as the title of chapter one: Why Reengineer Health Care? In this chapter, they point out that while health care has kept pace with science and technology for diagnosis and treatment, it has not kept pace in its delivery. They state that computers arent the problem, but rather the application of technology and how work is organized around it.

While I read this book, it rekindled some memories of Champys first book with Hammer. I went back and reread my highlighting and margin notes from that first book. The prevailing and consistent theme was the focus on the components of the “three-legged stool”: People, Process and Technology.

In fact, there are chapters in Reengineering Health Care dedicated to each of these components. In each of these chapters, they offer case studies in which they exemplify real people who have combined the three legs to improve health care for better results from a financial, patient care or procedural perspective. Lessons learned are provided with detailed explanations for each, explaining the why and the how. For instance, in the chapter on technology, one of the tips is to protect physician productivity. They go on to explain that one of biggest concerns physicians have with IT systems is a poorly defined system that distracts them from patient interaction, slowing their productivity. They described a real-world case in which they involved physicians, nurses and other clinical staff in the design of the process around the technology, which gave them both buy-in on the process, and an efficient system designed around how they need to get their jobs done.

There are two additional chapters that each showcase a successful reengineer that they have encountered in their research and the path theyve followed to improve healthcare and some of their long-term results.

As with Champys first reengineering book, a chapter is included titled “The Hunt for Reengineering Opportunities”. This provides a primer on how to get started and some tips on how to identify the “burning platform” or the greatest pain-point as a place to begin. Do you start by focusing on better quality delivery of health care? Improved financial results? Improving the process to make the physician and staff more efficient? Each medical facility must decide for itself.

There was an opportunity for Champy and Greenspun to make this a dry, process laden tome as a how-to on process improvement methodologies within the health care industry. To their credit, theyve created a very readable, yet informational book that provides excellent examples of leadership and descriptions of methodology that both informs and motivates health care providers to take the plunge into their own internal health care reform. Can one read this book and know everything there is to know about reengineering health care within their own medical facility? Certainly not; and thats not the intent of this book. It does provide an excellent overview of the benefits that can be gained and some high-level lessons learned on the considerations to be made in such an endeavor. A medical facility that is seriously considering a reengineering project should probably partner with an experienced consulting organization with the appropriate experience to help them implement it correctly.

Health care reform is one of the hottest topics in the news. Government incentives and eventual penalties – are driving many health care organizations to implement electronic medical records systems to gain compliance with government mandates. Reengineering Health Care comments that the result of recent legislation was essentially health insurance reform. Stating that “up to 40 percent of the insurers operating costs is spent on administrative processes…some hospitals write off up to 30 percent of what they bill because of the complexity of approval and collection procedures”, Champy and Greenspun make an excellent point that a reengineering effort is worth implementing for the benefit it provides regardless of government incentives and penalties. The time is right for those in the medical industry commit their organizations to the provision of better health care, improved efficiency and better financial results. Reengineering Health Care is the first step that a health care organization should take to making that commitment.

The human physique is the temple of the soul. A healthy physique will radiate confidence that will encourage admiration from others. Ever since the dawn of time, human figures that possessed a buff physique have been idolized as what the perfect body should appear like, with muscle tissue in all the fitting locations and curves that additional defines the physique. However trying to realize the proper physique is a frightening job that takes time to materialize. Champion bodybuilders spend countless hours working out within the gymnasium and follow a strict weight loss plan program designed to gain muscle. What you eat will decide the end result of all the onerous work on the gym. Optimum Nutrition whey protein is the most effective complement in the market to help build lean muscle fast.

The human physique is not only an plentiful source of water however of protein as well. Without protein, the physique won’t be able to operate normally. If one understands that protein is the building block of the human organism, then it might be silly to deny oneself a proper dietary complement to construct muscle. Optimum Nutrition whey protein will supply the physique with an optimum amount of protein necessary for bodybuilding.

Whey protein has been discovered to be beneficial for total health. Preliminary clinical research have shown that whey protein has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties as a result of rich nature of amino acids present. These amino acids are absorbed at a quicker price to assist construct and repair muscle.

One other interesting truth is that Optimum Nutrition whey protein comprises an amino acid that may improve the manufacturing of glutathione in the body. Glutathione has gained recognition as an effective and proven skin whitener within the beauty market, and in fact can be a potent anti- oxidant that helps protect the body against damaging free radicals and toxins which will trigger most cancers and speed up aging.

Optimum Nutrition whey protein is finest taken after an exhilarating workout as the physique is then at a stage of recovery. Whey protein is also greatest taken in the morning with breakfast because the physique is starved of protein after a very good nights sleep. Additionally the intake of whey protein is dictated by the type of food plan prescribed to the specific particular person so the dosage for taking whey protein will vary. Seek the advice of an expert dietician and health knowledgeable to determine the correct amount of whey protein that may adhere to your health or bodybuilding program.

Protein supplements are the newest rage within the health market and Optimum Nutrition whey protein stands at the high of the podium. Whey protein is highly absorbable and is discovered to contain a better BV rating of usable protein than even an egg. Bodybuilders swear by the impact of taking eggs as a protein complement, however whey protein actually comprises a higher BV variety of protein, making it the ideal protein supplement for the lean, muscular frame that history has lengthy admired.

Shopping online for healthy snacks that taste good and offer powerful nutrition for athletes can be a challenge. It is no secret that there are plenty of horribly tasting protein drinks and cardboard power bars available. However, now, uncovering the right snacks and the most flavorful nutrition can be a much more pleasurable experience than it was in the past.

Whether you create your own healthy snacks or buy something prepackaged, it is more common now to find treats that are appealing and provide a boost to your fitness routine. Fortunately for those who are active, the most powerful nutrition for athletes can now be quickly consumed from healthy snacks in concentrated whole foods that include a special blend of Chinese herbs. These concentrated formulas include exact levels of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates, which should be 50-60% of your diet. The most appealing aspect is that these whole food snacks taste great, and they are so convenient to prepare.

For more bulk in nutrition for athletes, you can mix bananas or other fruits with these all natural whole food concentrates and make healthy snacks that could be full meals, especially for breakfast. While also enjoying additional fruit, try adding organic peanut butter for a little more protein. You may be astounded at the flavor enhancement and your body will appreciate the increase in fats and protein. When it comes to quick and convenient nutrition for athletes, these kinds of concentrated, nutrient dense smoothies are hard to beat. It is reassuring to know that you can acquire all the nutrients you need to perform at peak levels with a blender and thirty seconds of free time.

Of course, purchasing concentrated healthy snacks requires careful evaluation. Learning more about what you are purchasing is crucial if you are really serious about finding the highest quality nutrition for athletes. It is important to look beyond the nutrition fact labels to understand how the products are processed and whether or not they contain whole food ingredients with live enzymes. See if you can figure out if the healthy snacks you think you are buying are alkaline foods or acid foods. This will depend on the mineral structure of the all-natural, whole food ingredients that are used and if they were overly processed in packaging.

Things to be aware of on the nutrition facts label include sodium and sugar levels. Too many health conscious individuals make the mistake of only evaluating protein, calories and carbs when buying nutrition for athletes. However, many of the so-called healthy foods actually contain excessive amounts of protein for anyone except pro athletes and weight lifters. Undeniably healthy snacks that qualify as quality nutrition for athletes are those that include whole food ingredients with plant-based protein, not chemically created and isolated proteins, vitamins or minerals.

In today’s modern age, many foods are being processed which alter the food from its natural state. 50 years ago a women needed to eat 2 peaches to get the proper amount of vitamin A in their diet and today it takes about 53 peaches.

The way food is grown for the supermarkets and most people these days is a processed method which causes foods like fruits and vegetables to lose a great deal of it’s natural benefits, like nutrients and vitamins. These essential nutrients that are being made almost impossible to get in our diets are vital for achieving optimal health and can help prevent certain illness and disease.

This causes a vicious cycle, people can’t get proper nutrition from their food even when they think what they are eating is good for them, they get sick and go the doctor or hospital to get prescribed with processed drugs and depend on the medical system. Why not take control of your nutrition and health?

You need to take a whole-food multi-vitamin supplement each day to support your immune system, brain system, and bodily functions. If you are not getting proper nutrition in your foods and you don’t take supplementation to get the essentials nutrients your body needs to achieve optimal health you are just asking to get sick or worse end up in a hospital bed which is not what you want if you can avoid it, which hopefully you still can if you start taking action today.

Quick tips to help improve your diet’s nutrition:

1. Eat Whole-Foods – Whole-foods means the food is not altered from it’s original natural state unlike processed foods which are Foods that are sliced, diced, cut, chopped, cooked, mixed, grinded, smoked, dried, packaged, an canned.

2. Organic Food Market – Whole-foods can normally be found in organic food markets or shops. Look for foods that are in their natural state and do some research and ask some questions to your local organic store owners if their foods are altered from their natural state and if they are processed to alter the natural benefits and nutrients of the foods in question.

3. Grow Your Own Food – If you have the space or land, purchase natural organic seeds for fruits and vegetables you like that you can grow and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

4. Take a Whole-Food Supplement – Taking a daily whole-food nutrient supplementation is becoming more and more vital in our modern day in age. If you are not getting proper nutrition from your diet each day you need to take better care for your body and take supplements to help achieve optimal health and prevent illness and diseases the best you can.

Hopefully the above tips and information can help you understand and see the importance of great nutrition and the effects if can have on your health if you don’t get proper daily whole-food nutrients in your diet.

You have control to take action and invest in your health and now you have some ideas to help get you on the right path to achieving optimal health and helping to prevent unwanted doctors and hospital visits or stays.

It seems as though today everyone is obsessed with looking
younger, but many people are too scared or nervous to try more invasive
treatments like Botox. The truth of the matter when it comes to how to
keep healthy and glowing skin is that you should start within. No amount
of cream will counteract any negative lifestyle issues that are
contributing to the creation of new skin layers.

Skin is ever
evolving and replenishing. Taking some measures to increase your body’s
overall health and wellness will contribute to the replenishment of your
skin. In conjunction with a skin care regime filled with specific
creams, you can age gracefully knowing that you are the one behind the
youthfulness that you will be exuding.

A mantra for almost any
healthy kind of life, the first thing you can do to have healthy and
glowing skin, is to just exercise. The misnomer, however, is that you do
not have to become a gym warrior, sacrificing hours everyday to achieve
results. Taking a short walk, at least half an hour, with friends or
family will increase your cardiovascular health. Doing this every day
will ensure that you’re heart healthy and your cardiovascular system is
key to being healthy in general.

Drinking water cannot be
underplayed. So many people think they can get by with diet sodas, but
the truth is that they do nothing for your health or hydration. Water is
the best thing you can drink, but if you do not like the taste of water
you can add a slice of lemon or lime. Becoming reliant on additives,
like the myriad flavor powders, will stop you from enjoying water for
what it is – a truly refreshing beverage.

Eating fruits and vegetables is also essential to
contributing to the skin's health. The vital vitamins and minerals they
provide will be coupled with some bright and fresh flavors. Learning to
love what is natural can help all aspects of your wellness and overall
glow.

Increasing your ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids is also
important. Omega-3 fatty acids are not made by the body, but must be
ingested and their effects are beneficial to heart, as well as skin,
hair, and teeth. Also, there are many antioxidant packed foods like acai
berries or pomegranates that can make your insides as healthy as
possible which will be reflected on the glow that will be coming from
your skin.

Once you've made over your inside, treat your outside
with some hydrating and collagen infused creams, as well as sunscreen.
If you look at changing your skin as something that involves your inside
and outside, you will have the success you are looking for!

Have you ever heard the advice to not put all your eggs in one basket? Well the advice is good, especially if you are a Home Health, Home Care or Hospice agency. Putting all your eggs in one basket in the Home Health, Home Care or Hospice industry means having only one line of business. In todays environment, one line of business is a dangerous path to walk. Already we have seen repeated cuts to the Home Health reimbursement formula, and Hospice is under scrutiny and will probably see some rather dramatic cuts in the future. Some Home Care (Private Pay) agencies are seeing a decline in both clients and hours, as well. Just as the chant location, location, location is cited for a business success, diversification is the same for agencies in the Home Health, Home Care and Hospice industry.

As a Home Health or Hospice agency, you may be asking how you can diversify. You already take private insurance, much of which doesnt even cover your expenses. Where can you diversify?

Years ago, many Home Health agencies invested in private duty services. Unfortunately, many of them tried to run these agencies the same way they ran the Medicare-Certified agencies. This turned out to be a less than a financial success for them and, as a result, most of the agencies closed their Private Pay agencies or sold them. I was one of those administrators running both types of agencies. Fortunately, the corporation that owned the agency I managed understood the differences required to successfully operate these two very distinct businesses. As a result, the internal structures and systems for Private Pay were run with entirely different staff and procedures. Fortunately, the Private Pay agency was a financial success and a great partner for the Medicare business.

In todays environment, it may be wise for Medicare agencies to look again at the Private Pay industry and invest in another line of business that will not be subject to the changes of CMS. This holds true for both Medicare Home Health and the Hospice agencies. The opportunities in a Private Pay agency are endless. The services offered are as open and vast as the community served will support. By using the lessons learned from the previous attempts to diversify into Private Pay, the new line of business makes the difference between surviving and thriving.

For Private Pay (Home Care) agencies, diversification is just as important. By having only one or two lines of business, you will very likely have some down times with loss of revenues. Diversification of services helps to diminish the effects of the decline on your personal care or live-in services. There are so many opportunities in the Private Pay arena, it really is a matter of finding out what your marketplace will support and then developing it in such a manner that your customers will see value and buy.

Over the years I have seen some very creative and innovative Private Pay agency owners create truly unique services that were well received by their communities. One agency had a very viable service line in cruise companions. They had a high end senior population that were used to cruises, but because of declines in health and abilities, many of the seniors could no longer travel. The agency developed a contract with a major cruise line where they provided the personal care workers or aides that accompanied the senior on the cruise. The client paid for all the related cruise expenses as well as the daily live-in rate for the aide. Reportedly a great time was had by all.

Another agency developed a Mom and Babe program that catered to the large number of young, educated families in their geographic area. The program retained the services of an OB-GYN RN, who made the first visit to the home the day after the mother was discharged from the hospital. The aide, who was a trained doula, also accompanied the RN on the first visit. The services were bundled into either 5- or 7-day, 12 hour/day packages that included the RN visit and the 5 or 7 days of the specialty aide. The aide not only cared for the mother and baby, but tended to the home and other children, allowing the new mother and baby to have bonding time. The aide planned and cooked the meals and did the laundry and light housekeeping so that the mother could rest. The program, as mentioned, was sold as a package and made great shower gifts. The aide was available on an hourly rate to continue services beyond the package if the family wished, or her services could be bought by the family directly for however long they were needed.

As you can see, there is no limit to what your agency can provide. With appropriate due diligence and an ability to listen to what your community is seeking and willing to pay for, you can do anything. If youre ready to plan a more secure financial future for your agency, contact us today to discuss the many diverse opportunities that are awaiting you.