What is Attendant Care and When Do You Need It?

If you have suffered a serious motor vehicle accident, your jurisdiction may provide no-fault accident benefits to cover certain basic medical costs. In Ontario, these benefits are called Statutory Accident Benefits. In many U.S. jurisdictions, they are called PIP benefits. Where they exist, these benefits are available to you, even if you were at fault in the accident.

One type of benefit that can be very important for accident victims with both catastrophic and temporary injuries is Attendant Care Benefits. Attendant Care Benefits provides financial assistance to help you engage someone to provide you with personal assistance. Your attendant will provide you with help doing things you would have done for yourself but for the accident.

Some tasks your attendant might help you with include feeding, bathing, dressing and grooming. For some people, such as those with serious spinal cord injuries, this type of assistance may be required on a permanent basis. For others, such as those with bone fractures that will eventually heal, attendant care needs may be short term.

Other tasks an attendant might be required to provide are more technically advanced, such as catherization, dressing wounds, assisting with bowel care and administering medications. Again, assistance with these tasks may be permanent or temporary, depending on the level of injury.

You may wonder how an attendant care benefit is determined. In Ontario, there is a pre-determined check list of tasks for which attendant care may be provided. It is called a Form 1. Other jurisdictions likely have their own forms. A Form 1 is completed by a health care professional, most often an occupational therapist. The occupational therapist reviews your medical charts and attends at your home to determine what you can and cannot do for yourself. He or she then calculates how much time each task takes per day. For example, it may take your attendant 15 minutes per day to assist you with dressing. Those minutes are then calculated on a monthly basis to come up with your monthly time needed for attendant care.

In Ontario, attendant care is divided into three categories of tasks, depending on the level of sophistication of the tasks. The categories have different pay rates. For example, the insurance company pays a lower hourly rate for grooming than it does for inserting a catheter.

The monthly benefit is calculated by multiplying the number of minutes per month by the applicable hourly rate. In most jurisdictions, there will be a monthly maximum benefit as well. For Ontario, the maximum monthly attendant care benefit is $3000 per month for non-catastrophic injuries and $6000 per month for catastrophic injuries.

Attendant care benefits an be reassessed periodically as your condition changes.

You may also be interested to know that in Ontario, a family member or friend can provide the attendant care, provided he or she is competent to do so. You do not need to hire an outside agency to provide the care. This is good news because the hourly rates paid by the insurance company are lower than the market rate to hire a private attendant, in most cases.

Ottawa Car Accident lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth represents injured people who have suffered from motor vehicle accidents in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. For more information, or to schedule a no obligation consultation, contact us at personalinjuryottawa.ca personalinjuryottawa.ca. You can also telephone us at 613-233-4529.

Interview for "Of Course You Can!" authors Steven List and Steve Thompson

Reader Views is very happy to be talking with Steven List, co-author of "Of Course You Can! Simple Ideas for Success in Your Home Based Business" This motivational book is for beginners and experienced business owners that are feeling frustrated or confused, and need help taking their company or ideas to the next level.

Juanita: Thank you for talking with us today Steven. Please tell us a little about "Of Course You Can!" and the inspiration behind this book.

Steven: After spending some time in the network marketing industry, along with my experience in consulting and various home-based businesses, it became clear to me that there was a lot of misunderstanding. People would be recruited into some home-based business, and think it was all just going to happen. I realized that they really didn't understand that they were, in fact, in business. We wrote the book to provide them with both motivation and education, to take away the sting and the fear and the confusion.

Juanita: Is your book equally relevant to network marketing and other home-based businesses?

Steven:Absolutely. In fact, it's applicable to any business or profession. My mother read this book, and she's a psychotherapist. She used some of what she learned in the book to help her grow her business and in delivering a presentation!

Juanita: What is the biggest misconception people need to be aware of before starting their own home-based business?

Steven:That it's not work. People seem to think, somehow, that if you're working from home, then it's not a real business and not real work. It requires the same commitment of time and energy as any other business or job, you just get to set your own hours.

Juanita: A major concept in "Of Course You Can!" is the importance of nurturing relationships. Please tell us about this critical aspect of a successful business.

Steven:I believe that all successful businesses - from book stores to airlines to computer companies to medical practices - are built on relationships. Most of us, when looking to make a purchase or find a service provider, first ask our friends and family for recommendations. That relationship, both between me and the referrer, and between the referrer and the company or individual they refer, is the foundation of that business transaction.

Juanita: Are you saying that 'word of mouth' is equally, or even more important that advertising?

Steven:Oh, absolutely! Word of mouth carries both explicit and implicit approval and recommendation. After all, why would I tell you about a person or company unless I wanted to share my experience and relationship? Negative word of mouth is one of the most powerful business killers in the world. Positive word of mouth is probably responsible for more business success than anything else - whether it's FedEx or the bodega down the street.

Juanita: You talk about the seven steps to building a business. What are these steps and where do most people get discouraged and quit?

Steven:The steps are: know your product/service, develop your marketing strategy, develop your sales strategy, create/acquire your marketing materials and collateral, create/acquire your sales tools, practice your presentation and call scripts, then do it! Most people get through step 1 with no problem - learning the products or service offering. Somewhere in steps 2 through 5 is where the challenge becomes daunting for some people. Much of this depends on the type of business, the company, what they provide, and who is available to work with and train the new business owner. One of the reasons for this book is that so many people in network marketing and other home-based businesses really don't know what to do, and then they are responsible for recruiting and training others! So it's a self- perpetuating dilemma.

Juanita: So "Of Course You Can!" will also give insights for home-based business owners regarding recruiting and training employees?

Steven:Hmm. Not specifically, since it's oriented toward the sole proprietor. But the principles and the strategies and tactics are applicable whether you are a sole proprietor or an employee. So from that standpoint, I'd say "yes, absolutely."

Juanita: What are some of the fears that typically come up for home-based business owners that "Of Course You Can!" will address and provide solutions?

Peter: That they can't do it, because it's too big/complicated/confusing/daunting. People want it to be easy. In some companies they get you to sign up, they hand you a book or package, direct you to a web site, and tell you that you're on your own. We wanted people to understand that they don't have to be on their own, and to break it all down so that they could really grasp it and be successful.

Juanita: Steven, what would be the first question you would ask someone that is considering entering into a home- based business that would, for you, indicate whether they had the commitment to really do what it would take to become a success in their chosen field? Why?

Steven:Wow! Good question indeed. Hmm... I'd ask them if they are prepared to work hard for little pay with the hope that it may pay off big time in six to twenty-four months, or even longer. As with any business, home-based business requires an investment. There's almost always money involved. There's also the investment of time and energy. And while many network marketing recruiters and home-based business companies would like us to believe that we'll be rolling in money in no time at all, it usually doesn't work that way. So if they don't understand that it's going to take time, energy, and commitment, if they don't understand that they're starting a business, then they should really reconsider.

Juanita: It seems like home-based businesses are on the rise. Why do you think so many people are stepping out of the box and going into business for themselves?

Steven:At the beginning of the 20th Century, the majority of people were either self-employed or worked for small businesses. By the middle of the century, most people worked for big companies, counted on retirement plans, and expected to be taken care of. Everyone used to "know" that if you worked for IBM, you had a place for life. That's no longer true. With all the layoffs, reductions in force, reorganizations, and so forth, people are feeling far less secure. Taking one's fate in one's own hands is seeming more and more preferable to taking yet another chance at being laid off abruptly. It's a shift back to self-reliance and away from dependency on Big Brother.

Juanita: What are the trends and/or direction that current home-based businesses seem to be taking - Products? Services?

Steven:There are two major areas: healthcare (and related) products, and a variety of services. In the healthcare area, there are nutritional supplements and happinesslifetime.com skin care and general health groups. A lot of this is based on the writing and speaking of Paul Zane Pilzer, and his book "The Wellness Revolution." Lots of folks in network marketing cite Pilzer's work and what it implies for the industry. In services, we can see things like legal services and travel services picking up steam. A lot of it is about having more control over our own lives. These companies are providing the products and services that give us that feeling of control over our own lives.

Juanita: In the growing world of internet-based businesses, do the same principles apply, and will "Of Course You Can!" help the struggling web-based business owner?

Steven:Absolutely. There are some differences, of course. For instance, instead of creating and mastering call scripts or presentations, on the Internet copywriting is critical. A web site, being one's primary brochure, must be well- written and well designed. Emails and articles and ezines must also be written with the goal of attracting prospective customers to one's web site, and then converting those visitors to customers. This is the equivalent of inviting someone to a training/presentation, or doing an in-home presentation.

Juanita: What are some of your personal success stories that have contributed to your extensive knowledge in this field?

Steven:I have participated in several network marketing ventures. In each one, I quickly became a trainer and a resource. Steve Thompson is one of my mentors, having been extremely successful in Excel, building an organization of thousands and producing an income that would make most people very happy. Today, I spend more of my time supporting others in building their businesses through training and providing resources. An example of this is the web site I built in support of Herbalife distributors, HerbaCall.com HerbaCall.com.

Juanita: Steve Thompson, is not just one of your mentors, but the co-author of your book "Of Course You Can!" Tell us how this collaboration came about, and what unique perspectives do you each bring to the content of your book.

Steven:Steve is more of a professional networker and Network Marketer than I think I am. He has been hugely successful both in traditional business - owning a successful insurance agency, in the music business, and elsewhere - and in Network Marketing. Steve knows how to get things done, and is exceptionally good at getting people excited and engaged and committed. He is, himself, completely committed to the people he brings into a business and to making sure that they are trained and successful.

We met when one of my companies was designing the marketing for a brand new network marketing company. Steve had been recruited by that company because they knew how good it would be for them to have him on board. I went to sit in on a training session, to learn more about the company and the products. Steve was the main speaker, and he blew me away. As a professional speaker myself, I'm not usually that affected, and he was powerful and very effective. That was the beginning of our relationship - both business and personal.

With my background in traditional business, management, leadership, communication, and technology, we found that combined we had a remarkable synergy. We work together to take advantage of each of our strengths in ways that most people cannot. It's a wonderful partnership.

Juanita: Steven, you have been conducting highly motivational leadership seminars for many years. Please tell your reader of your other endeavors.

Steven:Today I include professional speaking (StevenList.com), business and personal coaching, presentation skills training and coaching, digital art (digitaldragonart.com) on my resume. In addition, I am co-founder of Back of the Room (BackOfTheRoom.com), an online book store specializing in self-published and small press works. The idea for Back of the Room came from consulting with and guiding my speaking colleagues. I realized that many of them have created exceptional books, workbooks, audio and video programs, and that those products are mostly only available when you hear the speaker at an event - at the back of the room. So I got together with my good friend Celeste Stokely, and we created a web site whose goal is to help those products reach more people.

Juanita: I have heard you are also a third degree black belt in karate. How have the martial arts influenced your approach to business?

Steven:Oh, my. Well, not only did I learn a great deal about myself during my martial arts studies, but I learned how to be a teacher. Prior to my studies, I was impatient and not very good at explaining things. With martial arts, I found that I could see what the problem was, and became a good teacher (so my students, some of whom still call me "Sensei", tell me). The importance of timing, balance, interactions, and connectedness carried over into my business life. In addition, it was through my martial arts studies that I read three books that changed my thinking: The Unfettered Mind by Takuan Soho, A Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, and The Art of War by Sun Tzu. These are essential reading for me, and I frequently give the set as gifts to others.

Juanita: How can your readers contact you for find out more about "Of Course Your Can!" and your motivational lectures?

Steven:Information about the book is available on BackOfTheRoom.com BackOfTheRoom.com, and information about me as a speaker is available on StevenList.com StevenList.com

Juanita: Thank you for talking with us today Steven. I know you will be motivating and inspiring current and future business owners through your book "Of Course You Can!" Do you have any last thoughts for your readers today?

Steven:Two things: first, if you're going to get into a home-based business, please understand what that means. Whether it's our book or one of the others that's out there, get a clear understanding of what it means to be in a home- based business. Second, remember that I truly believe the title of the book - Of Course You Can!

Juanita Watson is the Assistant Editor for Reader Views. readerviews.com readerviews.com

Contacting the Owner of a Mortgage Is Critical for a Home Loan Modification

A big part of getting a greeneasylife.com mortgage loan modified in the Charlotte area involves taking a look at some standards with regards to who is in charge of handling the loan. This goes well beyond the person who is responsible for making the payments on the greeneasylife.com mortgage loan. This includes the entity that is in charge of handling the loan. A Charlotte home loan modification can be handled as long as the lender that owns and created the plan is consulted.

However, it can be a real challenge to take a look at who is responsible for the loan. This comes predominantly from how many different lenders over the years have dissolved and have had their assets bought out by the United States government. A variety of homes in the Charlotte area might have had to deal with this concern through a variety of different lenders. This includes concerns from lenders ranging from ones based in the Charlotte area to those who are national in reach.

In many cases the lender might have sold off the mortgage to a new owner. The new owner is generally going to be someone who is related to the United States government. The Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac organizations are the most common organizations that many lenders are going to do business with. This works in that the servicing processes that are associated with getting the loan handled will be taken care of by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

In fact, one of the two main agencies run by the government might go as far as to sell a proper off to investors. A borrower who closes on a home loan can end up having the loan sold off to one of the two altogether at the end of the plan. The mortgage will then be sent in to investors through what is known as a Mortgage Backed Securities plan. The investors can get added capital into the plan and then work with new loans in the Charlotte area and elsewhere.

This is a far distance from what one simple home in the Charlotte area can deal with. However, it can prove that the agency that is responsible for the loan might end up changing hands over a period of time. Therefore, the best thing to do for the Charlotte home loan modification is to simply check on who currently owns the loan. Consulting a proper debt collector for the loan is the best thing to do in order to determine who is in charge of getting this loan handled. It is the smartest thing to do in order to get the loan taken care of through another agency.

It will help to use these considerations when getting a Charlotte home loan modification to work. This plan can be useful as long as it involves handling a proper service to where the owner of the loan is already known. This is so the plan is going to end up being more likely to succeed.

Visit 1stforeclosureprevention.com 1stforeclosureprevention.com for free information on 1stforeclosureprevention.com loan modification.

Closed Circuit Television

Closed circuit television has been used for many years by government bodies and security agencies to monitor and take care of buildings, houses, and streets, both interiors and exteriors. These devices are used to capture on video anything and everything that happens in the monitored areas. CCTV is used to detect any potential criminal activity and to keep places safe. These cameras are often seen on street corners or in building taping all that is happening, cameras are also installed at some traffic signals.

The closed circuit televisions are a popular choice of surveillance equipment as many can be connected to one network. That is, if there are many cameras installed at strategic locations for monitoring either outside or inside a complex any area can be viewed from one location. With this kind of surveillance, an owner can spot an intruder and have the law enforcement agencies on the scene much before the intruder is even aware that he has been spotted.

These cameras can be used in conjunction with any type of security device these days as long as all can be connected to ca common network. They can be programmed to begin recording at a particular time and continue until a code is entered to stop, it can also be programmed to automatically contact law enforcement if it detects a threat. These are of course more advanced systems.

Initially when this technology had just made its presence felt, it was expensive to have and only large organizations or government bodies could afford to have closed circuit televisions. But now with the advancement of technology even home owners and small businesses can utilize the advantages of these cameras. Since all these devices are able to be connected to networks, a business owner can monitor all activities in real time if he chooses to from anywhere overseas as well.

Other technological advancements in close circuit televisions are numerous, some of the most notable ones however are infrared sensitivity and wireless cameras, and these can also have motion sensors that begin recording as long motion is detected but does not record and use unnecessary space otherwise. Something called Pan Tilt Zoom as the name suggests pans in on a target, adjusts itself vertically or horizontally and zooms in at the same time.

Anything that is recorded on these cameras can be presented in a court of law as evidence against a burglary, or any criminal activity, many burglars and kidnappers have been apprehended and jailed quickly due to the proof provided by these cameras.

These are strong deterrents of unlawful activity and research has shown a 21 per cent reduction in crimes due to the installation of these closed circuit cameras. It can be argued that the places that have cameras raise the potential danger of crimes in other areas that do not have the facility but the presence of a camera on any property always causes an intruder to reconsider breaking and entering.

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Eco Toilets For the Home

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the entire house, and a major source of water waste and inefficiency. Showers and toilets are two of the biggest consumers of water.

According to a 2009 report released by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States flushes over 4.8 million gallons of water per year and the average American flushes 9000 gallons of water per year. The report also stated that replacing flush toilets that use 3.5 gallons per flush with eco toilets that use 1.6 gallons per flush will result in a 34% savings in household water consumption.

There are a variety of different toilets that homeowners can install to reduce water consumption, save money, and save the environment. Many homeowners are choosing to install eco toilets such as the dual flush toilet to reduce water consumption.

The dual flush toilet works by providing the user with a half flush option and a full flush option on the same toilet. Typically a user would choose a half flush for urine and a full flush for feces. The half flush option only uses 0.79 gallons of water per flush, compared to the 1.6 gallons of water required for a full flush.

Many satisfied users report that the half flush is adequate for almost all flushing needs, and that the full flush is rarely needed. Experts suggest that a household can reduce household flush volumes by 68% using a dual flush toilet.

The composting toilet is gaining popularity around the world, and is just beginning to be introduced into American markets. Composting eco toilets work by using naturally-occurring bacteria to break down human waste into a usable compost material called humus.

The toilets do not use any water, are completely self contained, and all waste is collected and composted in the same unit. The toilets are carefully constructed with a special venting and air flow system to prevent unpleasant odors, bugs, and pests.

The composting toilet can even accommodate regular toilet tissue. A composting toilet is more expensive than a regular or dual flush toilet, and will require professional installation to ensure that the venting system is properly installed.

The squat toilet, although common in Eastern countries, is rarely used in the United States. These eco toilets are located flush to the ground, and the user must sit in squatted position to use the toilet.

The waste is removed by pouring water into the bowl with a hose or bucket. A squat toilet requires much less water than a conventional toilet, and many experts believe that it is more sanitary, as the buttocks and thighs do not come into contact with the toilet surface.

Ezra is the owner and webmaster of eco-toilets.com Eco Toilets. Did this article convince you to go with one of the new green toilets? There are more different kinds of eco-toilets.com/green-toilet-reviews-2.php eco toilets discussed at Ezra's website.

Debt Refinancing - 3 Ways to Protect Your Home From Risk

If you're considering any type of Windsor refinancing loan for your home, there are several important points to consider before contacting any Windsor mortgage companies. Use the following suggestions to protect your financial interest, and to help prevent getting in over your head with payments you may not be able to afford long term.

"Debt refinancing can be a dangerous business, and if you're not careful, your home could be at risk in the long run."

I'm sure you're all too aware of the financial dangers unique to our community. Between offers of easy credit and "low monthly payments," it is very easy to get in over your head. The same holds true with your home mortgage, especially if you're considering a Windsor refinancing option for debt consolidation purposes.

Follow this 3 question checklist, it just may help protect your financial future.

Ask Yourself: How much of a monthly payment can I really afford?

How much is your existing payment? Are you able to easily manage that payment each month? If not, how large of a mortgage payment can you afford each month? A Windsor refinancing loan will go much more smoothly and can help you to reach all of your financial goals if you answer this critically important question - first.

Ask Yourself: Have I seen my credit report lately?

In order to secure the best possible mortgage rate and terms for any Windsor refinancing loan, it's important that you have a good understanding of what your existing credit situation is. Financial skeletons in your closet can jettison your Windsor refinancing loan application. If you haven't already, get a copy of your credit report and examine it closely for errors, negative entries, and signs of fraud.

Errors on your credit report can be cleaned up, but they take time. Don't wait until you're ready to submit your windsor refinance loan application in order to clear up any lingering credit issues that could impact the timing of your Windsor refinancing loan. If your credit report shows a late payment that you know you made on time, file a dispute with the credit reporting agency, informing them that you made the payment in question on time. If you still have a cancelled check to prove it, submit a photo-copy when you file your dispute.

In the case of fraud, you may be required to file a police report with the Windsor, Ontario law enforcement agency, and you will usually be required to speak directly with the creditor's fraud department. Be prepared to prove your identity. Sometimes creditors are so anxious to be paid that they really don't care who pays them as long as they get paid. However, if you truly are the victim of credit fraud or identity theft, by all means take every step necessary to clear your good name.

Finally, if one of the negative entries on your credit report is accurate, and the bill remains unpaid, step up to the plate and try to pay it off. If you have a valid reason for being late, write a brief explanation and submit it to the credit reporting agency. Some creditors may take your explanation into consideration when determining whether to approve your Windsor refinancing loan application.

Ask Yourself: Does my Windsor mortgage broker truly have my best interests in mind or they only looking out for theirs?

Before agreeing to do business with any Windsor mortgage broker or agent, it's important that you make sure that they are honest and trustworthy. Check them out as carefully as you would if they were a teenage boy interested in dating your one and only daughter.

Ask for references (good agents will have clients that have given permission to be a reference, I have them) with and call each one to verify the type of experience that each former client had with the mortgage broker.

In addition, ensure that the mortgage agent you're considering working with has been in business for a substantial period of time and actually knows what they are doing when it comes to Windsor refinancing loans specifically. Finally, one final point to ponder is whether the mortgage company works with just one lender or has the capability of shopping the market in locating the very greeneasylife.com best loan terms and Windsor refinancing package for your specific financial situation.

Applying for a Windsor refinancing loan may seem a little overwhelming, but by taking the time to do your homework and following this quick checklist, you too can locate the credit refinancing package that will move you closer to reaching your financial destination and will ease the burden and take away the stress associated with handling your finances during uncertain economic times.

Darrin Roseborsky is a Refinance Specialist with OMAC Mortgages and president of HomeRefinanceCoach.com as well as ExpertWindsorMortgageBrokers.ca Darrin will show you how to safely maximize your equity, and how to choose options that make the most sense for your situation! To learn more, visit expertwindsormortgagebrokers.ca expertwindsormortgagebrokers.ca

Ways to Handle Sexual Harassment in HHAs

At a home health agency, an employee complained about a patient she tends to weekly in his home. According to her, the patient says inappropriate things and attempts to touch her in a way that makes her uncomfortable. She feels bad for him as he's old and frail. The home health agency doesn't want to lose him as a patient but is concerned because the worker is making a fuss and other employees want to know what's going on. How should the HHA handle the situation?

Sexual harassment is a serious offence and the HHA has a legal obligation to safeguard their employees from it. In September last year, the EEOC sued Nurse One/Team One, LCC, a McMinnville, TN-based provider of home health care services, alleging that the company violated federal law by condoning a sexually hostile work environment in the home of one of its clients and then firing an employee for complaining about the client.

The EEOC in that case alleged that Nurse One/Team One ignored at least 25 written reports from not just one, but a group of female certified nursing assistants of sexual harassment by a male client. Instead of effecting changes to stop the harassment, Nurse One/ Team One continued to place CNAs at the home of the harassing client. When the lead plaintiff refused to make an apology to the client for telling another CNA about his actions, Nurse One/Team One sacked her.

You can learn several things from this case:

Review and update your HHA's policies and procedures relating to sexual harassment.
Investigate if an employee complains about sexual harassment by a patient.
Take steps to put an end to the harassment. The gist of the story is that you should never avoid the issue in the hope that it'll go away. If you ignore the problem, the EEOC will get involved.

Provides weekly digest newswire about compliancenews.inhealthcare.com healthcare compliance news, and offers advanced Learning Opportunities about compliancenews.inhealthcare.com/hot-topics/no-red-flags-rule-for-health-care-providers Red Flags Rule enforcement for healthcare executives and physician billers according to 2010 Work Plan.

Avoiding Auction Listing Employment Agency in Your Job Search

I heard on the radio the other day that the unemployment in the United States is getting so bad, we may still eventually reach Depression era unemployment. I understand this. I lost my teaching job a year ago and have yet to find another job in the education field.

Many people in this same position - unable to find jobs in their old fields or in any traditional field for that matter - are turning to the internet to find some untraditional employment. Working from home used to be a luxury; now it's the only option some of us seem to have.

But searching for jobs via the Internet is a hard thing to do. There are so many people out there trying to take advantage of hardworking people desperate for any type of employment. For example, one of the most popular "jobs" available on the Internet today is an auction listing agent.

These listing agents are apparently being sought out by every auction listing employment agency you never knew existed. And to get this great job, all you have to do is pay a fee to the auction listing employment agency in exchange for their training and, eventually, a job.

Most people are tempted into wanting to become an auction listing agent by the promise that you can make a certain amount of money for every item that you "list." The reality is that these jobs are all about selling various products on auction sites like eBay. You front the money for the product, and then attempt to make a profit selling it on these auction sites.

The money that you are quoted by the auction listing employment agency isn't what you will earn for listing that product, it's what you will earn for selling that product. In general, that makes people feel very differently about this opportunity.

It's unfair that these auction listing employment agencies - which are usually just normal people trying to make a buck by selling you an unrealistic employment opportunity - are trying to take advantage of people like you and me searching for a paycheck in today's economy.

But now that you know they're out there, be careful. Remember that an actual job opportunity doesn't require any money to apply, or even any money to be trained. And if it was as easy to make money as they make it seem, then why aren't the other 18% of people unemployed in America doing it?

If you would like more info check out additional reviewopedia.com/auction-work-at-home.htm Auction Listing Employment Agency and reviewopedia.com/auction-work-at-home.htm Auction Listing Agent reviews.

Geriatric Care Managers: A Collaborative Resource to the Physician Practice

The Emergence of Private Sector Geriatric Care Management

Geriatric Care Management, a multidisciplinary profession made up primarily of nurses & social workers, first emerged as a professional field about 15 years ago when experienced clinical professionals, accross the country began, to leave traditional third party settings. Disillusioned with the large caseloads typical in non-profit and publicly funded agencies, and the limitations of third party payors such as Medicare, a group of about 100 practitioners in 22 states had begun to set up private consulting practices to help family caregivers of frail elders. They met to share ideas and to discuss how they conducted their private clinical gerontology practices. The result of these early meetings led to the formation of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM). NAPGCM currently consists of more than 1500 professional geriatric care managers nationwide with a vast majority in individual or group practices. The national association exists to foster the profession of GCM through marketing and public relations, legislative activism and professional development. NAPGCM facilitates a yearly national conference, publishes a practice journal and several other publications. Additionally, individual state and regional chapters host regular chapter meetings and some also hold chapter conferences.

-What is a Professional Geriatric Care Manager? -

A Professional Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a human service professional who specializes in assisting elders and their families with long term care issues.

Geriatric Care Managers:

1.) Conduct care planning assessments to identify problems, eligibility for assistance and need for services;

2.) Screen, arrange and monitor in-home help and additional health and mental health services;

3.) Review financial, legal and medical issues and offer referrals to other professionals for dealing with problems and conserving assets;

4.) Provide crisis intervention;

5.) Act as a liaison to families and long-distance care givers;

6.) Offer guidance in identifying alternative housing options and facilitating transitions;

7.) Provide counseling, psychosocial support, education and advocacy for elders and their families.

Case Example Part 1

It was 4:45 p.m. on a Friday afternoon and Dr. Jack Braun had just hung up the phone after speaking with Susan Moore, a nurse with the local Visiting Nurses Association (VNA). Dr. Braun said to himself, "Flo again!" Susan had informed Dr. Braun that his patient, Florence Clark, had been found in her home by an elder protective service worker confused, short of breath and with seriously edematous legs and acute cellulitis in her left leg. Susan explained that there was evidence that Florence had not been taking her lasix for up to two weeks and she had recently fallen. Dr. Braun recommended that Flo be taken to the Emergency Department at the medical center for evaluation.

Dr. Braun had just seen Flo the week before. She seemed to be improving. Flo, a 92-year-old widowed woman, living alone in her own home, had been hospitalized twice this year, five months apart for congestive heart failure (CHF) after failing to correctly take her medications. While Flo's hospitalizations were relatively long, she had improved both times after transfer to the same skilled nursing facility (SNF), where she received rehabilitation and nursing care for about eight weeks. Dr. Braun expected the same course would be repeated. Flo was adamant about not giving up her home and moving to an assisted living community. She was still independent with self care and was actually able to drive herself around town. Flo had lived with and been helped by her son, until his death two years ago. Flo was estranged from her only other child, a daughter, who lived out of state.

Dr. Braun said to himself, "there has to be somebody who could help this lady on a regular basis, someone who could give her support and encouragement, help her to be organized and deal with her when she gets noncompliant with her medications." While Flo did have involvement with VNA, this help was intermittent as the VNA would take her on each time that she was discharged from the SNF. However, due to a recently imposed capitated reimbursement system for Medicare payments, and Flo's relative stability after post acute rehabilitation, the VNAs involvement never lasted more than a week or two. Flo also had a case manager from the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) who, due to funding cuts, could only respond when a crisis emerged. Flo's income, from dividends and social security, far exceeded the public agency's income guidelines for ongoing case management. Dr. Braun remembered that Flo had a trust officer at a local bank, who handled her finances. The trust department also served as Flo's Power of Attorney.

Dr. Braun called the trust department toexpress his concern about Flo's inability to live independently and his idea for some type of ongoing professional involvement. The trust officer assured Dr. Braun that he would check into this possibility and get back to him.

Flo was hospitalized for eight days and then transferred once again to a SNF for rehabilitation and nursing care. A week after her transfer to the SNF, Peter McClelland called Dr. Braun to say that he had retained the services of a professional geriatric care manager to work with Flo.

Over the years, the field of geriatric care management has has identified a range of effective methods for helping elderly clients. GCM's have learned to stay abreast of the rapidly growing and changing array of long term care alternatives. GCMs typically identify problems that distinguish their clients such as: failing health and physical function, increasing problems with mental function and unmet need for care and assistance and often inadequate housing. Additionally, clients commonly have either no family or diminished family involvement, some times due to estrangement but more commonly because of geographic distance in our increasingly mobile society. GCMs are rarely hired by the person needing care. They are far more likley to be retained for the client by a family member or another professional such as the client 's attorney, trust officer or accountant.

The Growing Profile of Geriatric Care Managers

GCMs in well established practices are likely to be members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers at the "Advanced Professional Level" of membership. Advanced Professional members of NAPGCM hold a masters or doctorate degree in nursing, gerontology, psychology, social work, or another health or human service field and have had two years of supervised experience in the field of gerontology (NAPGCM Directory of Members'00).

The Affluent Client-

For many of all class levels, aging is a difficult process that can generate stress for the older person as well as for family members and others. People involved in long term care often grow quickly frustrated with the overall lack of available resources. While elders with higher incomes and assets may be more likely to create resources for care, there are also aspects to affluence that can impact negatively on an elder who is experiencing an increasing need for care. For example, many lower income elderly remain relatively integrated in their community due to such factors as living in senior housing or having many involved local family members, particularly adult children. Lower income elderly also tend to qualify for means tested community elder services such as case management through a public or non-profit agency and may be more inclined to participate in community programs such as local senior center activities.

By contrast, economic mobility in the elderly, can often lead to a lack of community integration as upper middle class or affluent elders may not have had children or had fewer children whose educational and career pursuits moved them far from their parents. Frail elders who are affluent may have recently discontinued a retirement lifestyle involving living in more than one home throughout the year, causing them to be less rooted in their community. As spouses and friends who are peers die, long standing social networks disappear without replacement. Living in larger suburban homes, affluent frail elders may be less visible in the community and less active, as leisure interests such as vacations theater and restaurants become less viable given their failing health and little or no companionship.

While financially affluent elders may be less known in the community, they may be well known by their physician and his or her staff. As patients, affluent elders may be more educated, more demanding and less willing to accept advice they might disagree with. Economic mobility, at the very least, creates the illusion that much of life can be managed and controlled. An elder who may have had a successful career as a high-level problem solver may not be accepting of the advice from their physician that he or she is no longer capable of managing their medication independently or operating an automobile safely. The children of affluent elders, particularly those who live far away, may be demanding of the physicians time beyond the office visit as they may have a desire to be involved and have opinions about their parent's medical care but are unable to physically attend medical appointments with their parent.

As geriatric care management services are generally not reimbursed by a third party payor, the patient or a family member, pays the GCM out of pocket. Fees for private care management typically range from $80.$150. per hour. As a result of being a privately paid service, commonly, the clients of GCMs are at a minimum, middle-class and often moderately affluent to wealthy; excepting lower income elders whose GCMs services are funded by a family member, often a son or daughter.

Case Example -Part 2

Dr. Braun looked at his schedule of patients for the day and noticed that Flo was scheduled for 2:00 pm. It had been 12 weeks since her episode of acute CHF with three plus edema and cellulitis necessitating hospitalization. Flo had now been home for three weeks since being discharged from the SNF. Dr. Braun then glanced at a fax regarding Flo from a private care manager.Dr. Braun remembered this GCM from years ago as a former clinical social worker at the medical center. The fax explained that he was now a GCM in private practice and that Flo's trust officer had retained him to coordinate Flo's multiple long term care needs.

The GCM explained that he had visited Flo at the nursing home. Prior to her discharge home, he arranged for Flo to receive weekly nursing assessments from a private duty RN. This nurse will also be maintaining Flo's medication box according to Dr. Braun's orders. The care manager also explained that he assisted Flo with the hiring of a homemaker/companion who will work with her in her home and in the community, four days per week. The homemaker/companion will be assisting Flo with preparing low sodium meals (a recommendation from Dr. Braun) verifying that Flo is taking her medication and reporting any concerns to the GCM as well as doing housekeeping and assistance with shopping. The last page the fax to Dr. Braun comprised an overall summary of Flo's progress including daily weights since her discharge from the SNF. The GCM would be attending the next appointment with Dr. Braun, and would be in regular contact with the trust officer, and would monitor her ongoing care needs at home. The GCM would also be exploring alternative care options including assisted living facilities that might better meet her needs in the future.

Dr. Braun felt significantly more reassured about Flo and wished several of his other patients would use the services of a GCM.

The Geriatric Care Manager and Physician Collaboration

The preceding case of Dr. Braun and his patient Flo is based is one example of the increasing collaboration of physicians interaction with the growing profession of fee based geriatric care managers, who have emerged to fill the void left by underfunded, inexperienced and overburdened public and non-profit community care providers.

Typically GCM involvement enhances the elder's ability to manage his or her overall health care while also fostering collegiality and more efficient communication with the physician and the increasingly complex long term care service network.

When considering GCM-physician collaboration, the following four salient features emerge that underscore a physician's opportunity to optimize the relationship between the acute care system and the chronic care needs of a frail elder with minimal social support.

1. The GCM can enhance the interaction between the patient and the doctor..

As was referred to in the case example, GCMs often attend medical appointments with their clients. Particularly when a client has multiple medical issues and medications and/or when the patient may have some cognitive impairment. The involvement of the GCM can serve to assure that information is accurately exchanged between the physician the elder, the SNf and the home and community care providers. Additionally, the GCM can take on the task of assisting with communication in terms of status changes or making or canceling appointments between the physician's office and the patient. This is often done with phone calls or faxes to the physician or his or her nurse.

2. Ongoing assessment of an otherwise isolated patient.

Through regular contact the GCM is able to provide monitoring of the client 's overall status. GCM can also arrange for more in-depth regular assessment or provide formal assessment in the areas of health/mental health depending on professional qualifications and certification. The GCM can relay patient concerns while they are at a, "pre-crisis state," allowing the physician to intervene before a hospitalization or even an urgent, same day, appointment becomes necessary.

3. A GCM's involvement can reduce an elder's need for a "social' physician visit.

The GCM is typically a well trained, experienced and caring professional. Through the process of care management, a supportive relationship between the GCM and the elderly client usually emerges. Due to this relationship with a prominent caring professional, the elder may become less inclined to make intermittent appointments with his or her physician when there is no real change in status. Additionally, given the psychosocial support and advocacy provided by the GCM, the elderly patient is less inclined to use wi a time limited appointment to meet social needs, allowing the physician to enjoy a positive and productive doctor-patient relationship within that boundary

4. The GCM serves as a conduit of information between the physician and other health care providers and the elder's family and/or other involved parties.

While there are times when a private and personal conversation between a physician and a patient or a patient's family is necessary, there are other times when communication is more routine and does not require direct contact with the physician. As a professional with health care knowledge, the GCM can synthesize information pertaining to patient health problems, treatment options, changes in medications, etc. and communicate these to the patient's family. GCMs routinely follow-up with family members via phone or E-mail immediately following medical appointments. An established and ongoing arrangement for communication with the GCM and long distance care givers or involved professionals, can reduce the amount of communication a physician needs to engage in beyond the patient visit.

Conclusion

This article is intended to illustrate the opportunity that exists for collaboration between physicians and professional geriatric care managers with the overarching goal of better serving frail elders. In addition to collaboration on individual cases, physicians and GCMs can be excellent referral sources for each other. Physician referrals to GCMs for patients with a clear need for and the means to pay for the service, can clearly assist in a development of a positive, time efficient and productive relationship between the frail elderly patient with multiple medical and resource problems and his or her physician. Likewise GCM's serve their clients well when they refer them to physicians who demonstrate a specific competence, for working with frail older adults.

Authors Biographies

Robert E. O'Toole, LICSW, is President of Informed Eldercare Decisions, Inc., a private company specializing in elder life planning . A founding member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, he is a former editor of the Geriatric Care Management Journal.

450 Washington St., Ste. 108, Dedham, MA 02027

Phone: (781)461-9637

Robert E. O?Toole, LICSW, is President of Informed Eldercare Decisions, Inc., a private company specializing in elder life planning . A founding member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, he is a former editor of the Geriatric Care Management Journal. 450 Washington St., Ste. 108, Dedham, MA 02027 Phone: (781)461-9637

Radon Danger in Your Home - Know the Facts

Knowing about radon is more important than ever before, as new facts emerge about its deadly consequences. The United States Surgeon General re-emphasized to the nation in January of 2010 the fact that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking in the U.S. If you smoke AND the radon levels in your home are high, you will have a very high risk for lung cancer. What can you do? Plenty! And it's easy.

First, what is radon? Radon comes from the natural radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water, and ends up in the air we breathe. Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Although radon is found in all types of buildings, we get most of our exposure when we're at home. Radon can exist in the air, and in our water source. Although radon levels vary throughout the United States, radon has been found in every state. You can see the average levels of radon by pulling up the maps on the internet by typing in radon maps.

What levels of radon are ok? Radon in the air is measured in "picocuries per liter of air", or "pCi/L". Generally speaking, levels less than 4 pCi/L are considered safe, although if you can reduce the levels further it's a good idea. The really good news in all of this is that you can TEST for radon, and you can put systems in the home to lower radon levels. The systems for lowering the levels are relatively inexpensive. If you have a reading of just over 4pCi/L, you may be able to do some simple sealing of leaks around the crawlspace, foundation, or basement of your home to lower the levels in the home itself.

How should I get my home tested? Who should install a mitigation system if I need one? Good news here too. Testing your home is easy. The first way is to do it yourself by going to a home improvement store and buying a test kit. Follow the directions carefully to ensure the most accurate results. The second way to test your home is to call a professional radon tester. These individuals are trained and certified to administer and interpret the test and can advise you on what to do if your levels are high. The cost to get a professional to test your home is low - usually $125-$200. They will come to your home and leave several test canisters open to the air. They will give you specific instructions for the 2 days the canisters are active. They will then return and send the canister media to a certified, registered laboratory that will have the analysis within one or two days. You can contact your state radon office for a list of professionals who have registered with them, or you can call a local home inspector who routinely performs radon testing as part of the home sale. If you discover through testing that you need a radon reduction system, you should ask your professional tester for referrals or check with the state radon office. The person or company you choose should be a qualified, licensed contractor, preferably certified in radon mitigation, and you should get more than one estimate.

The last piece of good news is if you do need to reduce the levels of radon in your home, it is not expensive to do. A vent and fan system is usually the first line of defense, and will lower the radon to acceptable levels over 85% of the time. NOTE: If you do your own test and the reading comes out over 4pCi/L, I recommend that you call a professional for another test of your home to confirm your own reading.

There is a lot more that you can learn about radon by going to the Environmental Protection Agency's web site (epa.gov epa.gov) and by going to radon.com radon.com.

Get a copy of the free A Citizen's Guide to Radon from the EPA site or from our company site: YourInspectionExpert.com YourInspectionExpert.com.

About the Author: Lisa P. Turner is a certified home inspector, radon tester, and licensed general contractor. Her company, Your Inspection Expert, Inc., inspects homes for safety and functionality for home buyers, sellers, owners, mortgage companies, and construction companies. Visit YourInspectionExpert.com YourInspectionExpert.com for information and more tips to maximize the value of your home.

How to Assess a Home Care Agency

At some point in your care giving experience, you may be faced with a decision regarding home care for your loved one. Making an informed choice can take time, as it involves gathering detailed information to thoroughly evaluate home care agencies. This can seem like an overwhelming task, especially for already-overburdened caregivers.

To help prepare you for this difficult decision, we have prepared some essential questions for you to consider when evaluating home care agencies.

What type of agency is this? (Home Care, Employment, Registry/Broker or Independent Contractor)
Does the agency accept the responsibility for any of the following with regards to its staff? (Screening, Training, Insurance, Supervision)
How long as the agency provided this kind of care?
How does the agency screen and select caregivers for an assignment?
Does the agency hire independent contractors?
What of the following are conducted with all employees? How often? (References Verified, Drug Testing and Criminal Background Screen)
Who helps our family develop an individualized plan of care? Is he/she a licensed health care professional?
How are emergencies handled outside of business hours?
How are services monitored? Does a registered nurse make regular visits? How often?
Does the agency follow sound business policies by withholding appropriate taxes, providing worker?s compensation and other benefits?
Does the agency manage all payroll and employee-related matters?

Reputable agencies should be able to provide you with answers to all of these questions. For a printable version with these and other helpful suggestions and notes, click here [agis.com/Document/18/questions-to-ask-when-hiring-a-home-care-agency.aspx].

AGIS is a pioneering online solutions portal for caregiving, eldercare, long term care and disability information with the mission to connect caregivers to information, resources, providers and programs that improve the quality of life of elders and family members. AGIS is dedicated to becoming the leading online resource to improve the quality of life for eldercare givers and recipients. Visit [agis.com] for more information.

Cleaning Ladies and Others Clean-Up on the Elderly

Unfortunately, most of the circumstances I have witnessed, are connections made between cleaning "ladies" rather than men, as the elderly are more prone to bond to women they see as a day-to-day peer. Domestic help, who were formerly complete strangers, become uniquely poised to "cash in" on the elderly people's estates when they die.

Unfortunately, many of today's elderly remain in isolation, preferring to live by themselves in their homes. They opt out of living in retirement communities and visiting senior centers for daily activities. Many are self-conscious of how they have aged, are dealing with their infirmities, and remain isolated, alone. Sometimes, domestic assistants and care-givers are the only people they see on a regular basis.

Their families have moved away, and do not have, or are willing to take, time for them. Today's hectic schedules do not warrant caring for mom and dad, who live afar.

It is less costly to hire cleaning help, with visiting personnel including nurses, than move into an assisted living center. Living in solitude at home, the aged can do as they please, plus enjoy the company of their pets. Provided, of course, that there is incoming, consistent support.

The cleaning assistance enters into the scene almost insidiously, and become good listeners. As they wipe floors and sweep, carry out the trash, and in doing the laundry, they soon become an intimate, faithful friend. They are trusted and valued above the distant family member, who remains only remotely connected and involved.

Some household support people will make claims to be a distant relative, and invite the elderly person to their family picnic reunion. Faded minds may not recognize these calculated intents, and are grateful to be included socially.

The time will come when the person passes away, and there is a rush to clear out the estate. The household staff is ready to cash in. Concurrently, relatives are surprised to find the cleaning people are inheriting a sizeable part of the estate, and are listed as a primary beneficiary in the will.

When the home is cleared or auctioned, the domestic servants often are available to "help themselves" to odds and ends household items, because the family members are grateful and relieved to see it removed easily. The clearing out process can be daunting, much to the relief of the on-hand support, ready to benefit.

There is such a melee of items, that much of it can not be auctioned. Giving it away is the most obvious solution - the household assistance is there to haul it away, often serving as re-sellers, profiting themselves.

There must be a better solution to the "cleaning help cleans up" dilemma.

Siblings should carefully discuss with their aging parents their wishes for many of the household items' disposal. Specific items should be tagged for family members.

The various types of auctions charge 25% to 35% commission from the sale. Most items are sold for next-to-nothing, give-away prices, called dumping.

As we age, we might consider how we would like to dispose of our collections. Since our inheritors, which now could include your trusted domestic help, will pocket very little after the auction service fee, you might consider donating much of your household surplus to a local community service agency, school, animal humane society, or church before you pass away.

Nice pieces of jewelry, or heirloom china, can be given as piecemeal gifts and donations as you age. A grateful grandchild, niece, or even your helpful neighbor would appreciate your gift and remember you fondly for time to come. Or, make a legal request that this be done, placing it in your bank box or with an attorney.

These options may be better than having it land for sale on an auction table, selling for a few dollars at best, benefiting the auctioneer and the scheming, befriended cleaning lady, who you may have unwittingly made the estate's new primary beneficiary.

Too many household items can be over-powering, and too many of us lose our practical senses. Hanging on to items can offer memories of the past, but then, is it might be time to consider the future for practical intent.

Program Content Developer of The Bridge To Achievement, Educational Consultant, Workshop Trainer at Mem-ExSpan, Inc.; Attended the University of Texas, the University of Iowa, and graduated with B.S. degree in Education from Drake University, majoring in Education, Speech-Drama, and English. Minored in Science and Social Science. Taught grades K-8 in seven Midwestern public school districts. Received a Masters Degree in Special Education - Learning Disabilities from the University of Kansas, and 1980 formed the non-profit 501 C3 Educational Media Therapy Consultants, Inc. This was later changed to Innovative Learning Stratagems, Inc. a national consulting group offering teacher and parent informative workshops and student scholarships for cognitive skills retraining and sensory integration training.

Additionally, formed Mem-ExSpan, Inc. to develop educational cognitive skills retraining content through continuous classes to help individuals ages 9 to adult. Established thirteen national training-test sites, published and documented research from six experiments over five generational developmental levels. Five published longitudinal reports appeared in The Journal of Accelerated Learning and Teaching (JALT) with several demographic groups. See: my home page: BlogThis!