What To Look For When Selecting a Home Care Nurse

 

Looking for a home care nurse for your loved one is not something that should be done overnight. There are a number of considerations to take when finding a nurse for home care that can make the decision very different from placing a loved one in a nursing facility. In a very real sense, you will be placing the life and welfare of someone in the hands of the nurse you choose, so it will need to be someone you trust. The following are some guidelines to make the decision easier.

 

Hiring Privately Is Risky

There are two ways that nurses for home care are usually found: privately and through agencies. Unless a certain home nurse has been recommended to you by someone close to you, or you are familiar with the person yourself, the private method of finding a nurse is not recommended. People who advertise for home care positions privately must be very carefully screened. Often they will offer a very low price for their services, but can be undocumented, inexperienced, or may lack credentials. They may also be a security risk.

 

Check Out An Agency Thoroughly

Agencies can make the selection process much easier, because they will do some of the screening work for you, and the agency itself can be checked and validated for reliability. They also have a larger pool of nurses that work for them, which becomes a concern when a nurse who is assigned to your loved one’s care becomes sick or needs time off.

 

Even if you hire through an agency, you should thoroughly check their licensing, years of experience, and most importantly, the amount and type of screening they do for the hiring of their employees. Once a home care worker has been chosen for you, you will have the chance to interview them yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the interview. You can opt for someone else, if you don’t like the agency’s first choice.

 

When A CNA Can Help

Many home care nurses are CNAs; that is, certified nursing assistants. They are certified to perform limited levels of care for seniors. If your loved one is partially mobile, needs bathing assistance, feeding care, or help taking medication, a certified nursing assistant can do the job admirably. CNAs are trained in the proper way to assist seniors with mobility challenges. For instance, they know how to help them get out of bed, transported into a chair, and assist them in daily tasks. CNAs also are trained to help seniors with mild Alzheimer’s.

 

When An RN Is Required

If your loved one is seriously debilitated, has extensive medical issues that require the use of medical equipment, or has late-term Alzheimer’s, the skills of a registered nurse will often be required. If you think your loved one will need 24-hour senior care, you may want to consider hiring multiple nurses. The work schedules of registered nurses are strictly regulated, so that three nurses on eight-hour shifts may be required. At that point, it may be a good idea to look into the possibility of residential nursing care.

 

Your loved one is depending on you to make the best possible choice of a home care assistant for them, so take the time needed to do it right.

 

Categories: care, care nurse, certified nursing, Home, Home care, look for, nbsp, nurse, nurses, what

7 Tricks and Tips for Keeping Care of Your Dentures

 

Just because dentures aren’t real teeth doesn’t mean you can neglect caring for them. You must take steps each day to ensure the health of your dentures and your mouth stay intact. The dentures need proper home care as well as professional care so that they stay in good working condition. If you need help caring for your dentures, then you should consider these seven tips.

 

1. Rest the Dentures

You should never sleep with dentures in your mouth. Taking the dentures out gives them a break, and your mouth also needs a break. The tissues in the gums can swell and become irritated over time if you keep the dentures in too long. Your mouth needs a chance to heal, and it can only heal when the dentures are given a break. You can soak dentures in warm water or a special cleaning solution overnight so that they are fresh and clean in the morning.

 

2. Be Careful When Cleaning

Dentures are sturdy, but they can break if they are mishandled. Modern dentures can cost quite a bit of money, so you will have to be careful. Try to clean them with something to support them underneath. If you drop your dentures, it’s better to drop them in a bucket of water than to allow them to hit the hard sink or the hard floor. Toothpicks should not be used on your dentures.

 

3. Keep them Safe

Don’t leave your dentures where children and pets can easily reach them. A dog could take the dentures outside and bury them if he thinks it’s a toy. Children may try putting the dentures on their mouths to play with them. Children and pets don’t know how important it is to keep the dentures safe, so don’t allow them to become toys.

 

4. Brush Daily

You need to brush the dentures daily to make sure they stay clean. Plaque and tartar can build up on dentures just as well as they can build up on real teeth. You can use soft brushes to ensure that you don’t scratch the surfaces of the dentures. Mild toothpaste, hand soap, dish detergent, and vinegar solutions are viable options for cleaning your dentures.

 

5. Go to the Dentist

A dentist can examine your gums to see how the dentures affect your oral health. They will note any chances to your gums, and they can spot sores that can cause trouble. A dentist can also offer tips for cleaning and maintenance of dentures. Your dentist may end up recommending immediate dentures if they deem it necessary. You should go to the dentist at least once per year for the best results.

 

6. Clean Your Gums

When you take the dentures out, you should use mouthwash to give your mouth a rinse. You can also massage your gums with a soft toothbrush or a washcloth. It’s good to keep the blood flowing normally in your gum tissue. Gums can also collect bacteria and other germs, so they need to be cleaned just as thoroughly as your dentures.

 

7. Note Changes in Fit

Do the dentures suddenly change how they fit in your gums? This can be a sign of gum disease. Even if you are healthy, the bones in the jaw change over time. You should always check with your dentist to see if the dentures can be adjusted to fit your mouth properly. Dentures that don’t fit properly cause sores and plenty of discomfort.

 

It doesn’t cost much money to keep your dentures clean and healthy. You also won’t spend too much time on denture maintenance. Taking these proactive steps will reduce the nasty bacteria and plaque in your mouth. Proper denture care will keep your mouth feeling clean. You must protect your dentures as if they were real teeth. They can break or ruin easily if you don’t exercise caution when cleaning and handling them.

 

Categories: care, dentures, tricks and tips

Understanding the Role of Fluoride in Dental Care

 

By Erika Remmington

 

The discovery of fluoride to aid in resisting tooth decay began in 1901, when a dentist noticed the brown mottling of teeth in residents of a town in Colorado. The teeth of these residents were also unusually resistant to tooth decay. The years of research that followed indicated that a mineral called fluoride that was naturally present in the water was the cause of these effects. This discovery sparked a revolution in dental care that has preserved the dental health of millions of people. Today, fluoride is added to water in many communities. Fluoride treatments can be administered in dentists’ offices as additional protection.

 

What Are Fluoride Treatments?

Although most people get sufficient amounts of fluoride in their drinking water, some individuals may need extra protection. Fluoride treatments are the direct application of fluoride compounds directly onto the tooth surfaces in the dentist’s office. These compounds are generally in the form of gels or varnishes that are applied and allowed to dry to provide additional protection against cavities. Slow-release devices that release the fluoride over time are also available. These devices are implanted onto the surface of a tooth to provide localized protection against dental caries.

 

Who Needs Fluoride Treatments?

Individuals who are particularly vulnerable to dental caries can benefit from fluoride treatments. Among these are those who have:

· Braces

· Frequent cavities

· Dry Mouth Conditions

· Gum Disease

· Bridges and Crowns

 

Benefits

The American Dental Association states that fluoride treatments can reduce the incidence of dental caries and recommend it as a preventative treatment for those individuals who are at high risk for developing cavities. Fluoride not only strengthens tooth enamel to fight erosion; it also helps to reduce the bacteria on teeth that cause dental caries.

 

Risks

Fluoride is considered safe and effective at recommended dosages. Children under the age of six should not get fluoride treatments because of the risk of dental fluorosis, a condition in which the teeth become discolored. Children should also be monitored in their use of fluoride-containing toothpastes and rinses to avoid this problem. Adults generally do not suffer ill effects from fluoride treatment. However, some individuals may experience nausea and gastrointestinal effects from fluoride treatments.

 

Should You Get Fluoride Treatments?

If you are among one of the groups of patients that are at particular risk for dental caries, your dentist may suggest fluoride treatments. Dental experts recommend these treatments as a safe and effective method of prevention for those who need extra protection against cavities.

 

 

Information provided by Parkland Mall Dental Centre, a Red Deer Dental Clinic.

 

 

Categories: care, Dental, Fluoride

8 Anti-Ageing Experts Share Their Personal Care Tips

Have you ever experienced anti-ageing wellness envy? You shamelessly stare at your hairdresser, dermatologist, or dentist and think, How the heck does she pull it off? What’s the secret to her great hair, pore-free complexion, or flawless teeth? Well, read on to find out how the beauty industry’s top experts take care of their own wellbeing, so you can better take care of yours.

 

1. Open Sesame: According to Lisa Hedley, founder and creative director of the Mayflower Inn and Spa, ‘First thing every morning, I massage organic sesame oil from the health-food store all over my body. Working it in wakes me up and really gets my blood circulating. Plus, the oil hydrates my skin, giving it a healthy glow. Then I jump in the shower—the oil naturally cleans away dead skin cells.’

 

2. Go Fish: ‘Anti-inflammatories are the best anti-agers out there,’ asserts Arlene Noodleman, MD, medical director of the Age Defy Dermatology and Wellness Centre. ‘From improving heart and immune functions to helping hair grow and skin look supple, they truly do wonders. I take three 500 milligram capsules of omega-3 fish oil in the morning and at night. I look for labels that say, “molecularly distilled for purity,” which means pesticide-free.’

 

3. Java Stripped: ‘I avoid stained teeth by drinking my coffee quickly,’ says cosmetic dentist Elisa Mello, DDS. ‘If you sip it over the course of an hour, it keeps coating and recoating. The same goes for other staining liquids, like tea and dark juices.’

 

4. Turn the Base Down Low: Joanna Schlip, celebrity makeup artist for Physician’s Formula, notes, ‘I’ve stopped using foundation every day, because it settles into wrinkles and makes them more noticeable. I start with a concealer just where I need it (under-eye area, blemishes, etc.) and follow it with an all-over application of tinted moisturiser.’

 

5. Simple Plan: Karen M. Horton, MD, plastic surgeon and reconstructive microsurgeon at the Women’s Plastic Surgery Centre, details, ‘Because I’m a plastic surgeon, companies send me so many skin-care samples—and some of them have 10 different steps! But I’m realistic, so there’s no way I’m going to sign up for some huge beauty system that costs hundreds of dollars and requires a commitment that I’m not willing to make. Honestly, here’s my daily skin-care routine: I go home, wash my face with a drugstore cleanser, put on a moisturiser, and fall into bed. I find that this simple regimen works well for me.’

 

6. Ditch the Sweet Tooth: ‘The number-one ingredient that I avoid in my diet is processed sugar,’ says Ava Shamban, MD, dermatologist and owner of the Laser Institute for Dermatology and Skin care. ‘The reason: It speeds up the ageing process by binding to and eventually weakening the collagen in your skin, which can lead to premature wrinkles and sagging. I eat lots of vegetables and fruits every day—and I steer clear of Twinkies at all costs!’

 

7…and Scrub It On Instead: ‘In the shower, I lather my hands with a mild cleanser, add a handful of white sugar, and slather it all over my face and body,’ celebrity makeup artist Carmindy reveals. ‘It makes my skin so smooth and creates a great canvas for makeup.’

 

8. All-Night Hair Care: Laura Hittleman, corporate director of beauty services at Canyon Ranch, admits, ‘At night, I straighten my hair with a flat iron and put it up in a loose ponytail right above my forehead—it’s not cute, but I don’t care—and wear it like that all night. When I take it down in the morning, it has such a youthful bounce to it.’

Categories: anti, anti ageing, care, celebrity makeup, makeup artist, nbsp, omega-3 fish oil, plastic surgeon, sesame oil, skin, skin care, white sugar

Stop Using Your Wife’s Moisturiser! Expert Explains Why

For men, anti-ageing wellness can be a little embarrassing. You have just as much need to take care of your wellbeing as your female counterpart, but there still seems to be some sort of misplaced stigma about men who look after their appearance and body. This is why many men just use the products their wives or girlfriends buy, but Shonagh Walker, award-winning wellness journalist and author of Cellulite My Arse!, argues that this is a major wellness mistake. So why is it a bad idea to use your partner’s skincare products?

 

1. You have thicker skin: ‘A guy’s complexion is a little more rough and ready than a woman’s,’ Walker explains. ‘As such, you need your products to pack a little bit more punch, while still addressing your specific skin care needs. As such, you want to buy formulas that are specifically created for men.’ It’s not just the thickness of your skin that makes you different to your wife or girlfriend; the hormones going on beneath the skin’s surface also means you need a different approach to skincare: ‘You…have more testosterone than the girls, which is sometimes linked to oiliness and blemishes,’ says Walker. ‘So, you might want to find a mattifying product or oil control product and add it to your skin care regime.’

 

2. You’re a big, hairy man: Walker points out, ‘You have growth that comes out of your face every day and it can cause all kinds of skin issues. Firstly, you are prone to shaving rash, so you need products that have built in calming properties into the formula. Secondly, as you’re shaving the hair daily, or at least a few times each week, you might become prone to ingrown hairs, which can not only be unsightly, but they can also be quite painful.’ She advises, ‘Look for a quality exfoliating product in your chosen skin care regime, or at least a cleanser that has glycolic acid in its formula to help keep the hair follicle unclogged and allow for the hair to grow through freely.’

 

3. You’re more sweaty: It’s just a fact that men sweat more than women, as is the unfortunate truth that your skin is exposed to bacteria, pollution and oil. According to Walker, if these three toxins ‘are allowed to stay put on your skin, they can get all blended up with your sweat, clog your pores and lead to blackheads and acne. You need quality cleansers designed to counteract this and as mentioned above, a really great exfoliating product.’

 

4. You age more slowly: Ok, the first three points didn’t perhaps paint male skin in the best light, but the good news is that you age more slowly than your female partner – you lucky thing. As a man, ‘your skin tends to stay strong, firm and unwrinkled for longer than women’s,’ Walker notes. ‘As such, you really don’t deserve to be helping yourself to our super expensive anti-ageing formulas.’ In fact, Walker asserts that you can probably get by with a cheaper, effective formula and a really great sun block – what a win!

 

5. You don’t wear make-up: Again, this is one area of skincare and beauty where men win out. Not having to wear make-up means you won’t need as many ingredients that work to counter the effects of make-up. You also don’t have to go through the entire rigmarole that women do with twice daily cleansing. However, Walker adds that you still need to cleanse every day, so you can’t get away with it that easily.

Categories: anti ageing, care, care regime, exfoliating product, hair, men, nbsp, products, skin, skin care, Thick Skin, walker

A Doll’s House: Care Homes Use Doll Therapy for Dementia

If you see an elderly loved one cuddling and singing to a child’s doll, it can feel strange and disturbing, but it may be doing their mental health and wellbeing a world of good. This is the finding of a growing number of care homes across the UK, which use doll therapy to improve the wellness of people with dementia.

One such care home chain is Four Seasons Healthcare, which frequently uses doll therapy in its homes. Residents have become so attached to the dolls there have been tussles over them, and the care workers have even had to introduce baby high chairs into the dining halls so residents could feed their dolls while eating their meals. However, as it can be extremely upsetting for families to see their relatives in this infantilised state, doll therapy is still a controversial intervention. According to Caroline Baker, head of quality and dementia care at Four Seasons Healthcare, ‘On a few occasions we have had relatives question it and we always make sure we fully explain what doll therapy is to the relatives.’

Researchers at Newcastle University, conducted a study on the use of dolls to alter behaviour in patients with dementia, and found that, despite initial opposition from care staff, there were clear benefits. Care workers reported a calming effect in residents, as well as reduction in wandering, increased communication and improved speech. Mishel Ingle, manager of Granby Rose Care Home in Harrogate, commented ‘some families have felt embarrassed by the fact that their relative used dolls or teddies at home and have also been comforted by the fact that we promote it and that it is OK for their relative to want to do this. We have helped them to realise why it is so important.’

Baker noted that some of the staff at Four Seasons staff refused to use the dolls at first as ‘they felt we were treating the residents like children, but we don’t force the dolls on the residents. Some of the staff got quite militant and cross about it but once they saw it for themselves they changed their minds. I tend to put one on my knee and I ask residents if they would like to hold the doll. I also leave the dolls lying around so residents can just pick them up if they feel like it.’ She added, ‘I even had my doubts initially. But once I saw doll therapy in action I was converted. It can be very emotional seeing someone distressed and not being able to comfort them and doll therapy can often really work and stops them being distressed.’

A Doll’s House: Care Homes Use Doll Therapy for Dementia

Categories: care, care home, Care Homes, care workers, Dementia, doll, Doll Therapy, dolls, residents, seasons healthcare

Hygiene Matters: 5 Reasons Your Hygiene Is Important to Women

Hygiene matters to women for a variety of reasons. However, hygiene for a man reaches beyond his personal hygiene that is only obvious when someone is standing right next to him. A man’s personal hygiene affects the lady that he is with when they are on the town, at a private party or alone at home. Each of these reasons why hygiene matters should be taken very seriously by the gentleman.

 

A Man’s Hygiene Makes Him Approachable

When gentlemen are taking care of themselves and appear to be fresh and clean, they look more approachable to women. While there are reasons why humans have a natural scent, that natural scent tends to be overpowering. The gentleman who works with his natural scent and keeps himself fresh and clean will have more success simply meeting and talking to women.

 

A Man’s Hygiene Makes Him Easier to Talk To

Gentlemen who take care of their personal hygiene are more likely to carry on long conversations with women because their breath is fresher and their natural scent is more pleasant. Ladies do enjoy a man who smells good, but the man who knows he smells good and has good teeth is going to be more confident and more fun.

 

A Man Gets a Wardrobe Assist

Many gentlemen who have great hygiene and smell great are also likely to dress well. The gentleman could shop anywhere from Reem to a boutique around the corner, but he is more likely to dress well when he knows that he looks and smells good. A man’s wardrobe makes women interested because clothes are typically of great concern to women. Plus, a gentleman who dresses well looks as if he takes care of himself and is, again, more approachable.

 

Hair Is Important

While gentlemen may find that they do not need to have their hair cut or styled all that often, they do need to take care to have their hair looking good at all times. A man with a fresh hair style looks more approachable and allows women to think that he will also smell good and have good hygiene. Women can make these determinations from across the room, and the gentleman must work hard to make a good first impression.

 

Nails

Men should invest in manicures to show women that they take care of themselves. The occasional manicure can help a gentleman to look as if he is taking care of himself. Plus, it adds a gentle touch at the end of a date.

 

Using all of these items to help make the man for attractive and approachable will lead to more success in dating and relationships.

Categories: care, gentleman, hygiene, hygiene matters, important, natural scent, nbsp, personal hygiene, Women

Wonderful World: How to Improve Your Environmental Wellness

If someone asked you about environmental wellness, what would you think of? Is it just about saving the rainforests or stopping global warming? Put it that way, and you can be put off the idea of environmental wellness altogether. It’s so intangible; how are you going to save the entire rainforest? Luckily, the reality of environmental wellness is a lot more easy to grasp.

 

According to Jessica Rhodes, of health and wellness website 123FeelBetter, ‘Environmental Wellness deals with the relationship between you and your immediate environments. It also concerns your larger connection with nature and the entire planet. Keeping a clean house, maintaining home spaces that reflect who you are, taking good care of your belongings, creating a space for private time and taking steps to enjoy and care for the natural environment are all important parts of Environmental Wellness.’ While these may seem like simple and basic things, environmental wellness encompasses all of the external factors that have an impact on your overall wellbeing.

 

As environmental wellness means taking care of your material possessions, plants, animal companions, friends and family, and surroundings, Rhodes sets out the following activity to help you get a better grip on the concept: ‘Right now, before you have time to clean, take pictures of yourself and of your surroundings,’ she instructs. ‘Don’t be shy, capture all the wonderful grime you can. Only you will see these pictures. Don’t obsess over them, simply log them in your private journal…Whether you took pictures or not, how did this make you feel? What were the emotions that came up while doing this exercise? What were your family’s rules about cleanliness? How have they affected you?’

 

Once you have a good idea of your current state of environmental wellness, you can take steps to improve the world around you and, as a result, your personal sense of wellbeing:

 

1. Plan A Garden: If you have a little piece of unused land, or even a sunny spot by a window that you could clear out, Rhodes recommends planting something! ‘Often it is easier to take on our own land and our own responsibility than to take on the global environmental crisis,’ she explains. ‘So, in lieu of developing anxiety about the ozone layer, see if you can harvest some joy in your very own backyard.’

 

2. Think About Your Fruits and Vegetables: ‘Go into your fruit and vegetables and take note of where they are from,’ Rhodes advises. So often we put foods on our plates and into our bodies without really realising the journey they have taken to get there. ‘Which countries did you rely on to get your produce?’ Rhodes asks ‘Think about how long each item took to arrive on your doorstep. Write a day in the life of your mango.’

 

3. Go to your Local Wildlife Centre: Whether this is an official centre for wildlife or something as simple as your local park, connecting to your surroundings means actually going out and connecting to your surroundings. As Rhodes puts it: ‘You can’t promote wellness only on your computer.’ So get out there and visit the world around you. If nothing else, a bit of fresh air and exercise never hurt anyone!

 

4. Sign up for an Environmental Advocacy or Exploration Group: If you’ve got the environmental wellness bug, share it with others so that they can see the benefits of environmental wellness in their own lives. However, if advocacy isn’t your thing, check out a local walking group. Rhodes explains, ‘The first step in loving and taking care of the environment is to explore it.’

Categories: advocacy, care, Environmental, Environmental Wellness, fruits and vegetables, garden, nbsp, rhodes, wellbeing nbsp, Wellness

How to Best Deal With a Crisis and the Aftermath

When a crisis occurs, how prepared are you? Are you someone who can leap to attention easily and take charge, or do you panic and struggle to forge a coherent plan? Crisis’ can occur at any time, so knowing what you’re doing in that situation could be the difference between life and death. Stress can affect you deeply in a situation such as someone you care for having a heart attack, or someone choking, which can impact your efficiency in that scenario. The better prepared you are, the better you’ll be able to cope and help those in need. You may be the only person around to help, which means that you need to be completely in control. In particular, if your parents are elderly and you’re the only person available to look after them, they may need you to be quick to act in a stressful situation. Then there is what needs to be done after a situation has arisen – to what extent are you prepared for the aftermath of a crisis?

 

If someone you care for is taken to hospital, there are numerous things you’ll need to think about. For starters, there is the issue of managing work around visiting schedules – if you can’t get child care, you may need to take a few days leave from work. If your job allows it, you may be able to work from your laptop within the hospital if the staff there give you permission. Be sure to engage your entire family though, as this will help you build a support network and will take some of the stress off you. Your partner can take turns with you at the hospital or look after the children so that you can arrange more visits. Make sure that you check what the hospital is serving at meal times, so that you can monitor if there are any mistakes with dietary requirements, if need be.

At home, the care-taking duties will need to be split equally – an ill elderly person will require full-time care. The best way to ensure this is done fairly is to sit down as a family and draw up a schedule which fairly shares out the duties so that no one person is left doing all of the work, but the elderly person in question doesn’t lack attentive care. If this isn’t an option, you can hire a full or part time nurse to help you if you’re at work throughout the day. Medicines are also probably going to be an issue, as elderly people who can no longer look after themselves will struggle to remember to take any required pills. If they take care of their own medication, be sure to keep a glass of water and the tablets by their bedside so that they are to hand. If not, then you may wish to use a beeper system to remind you when each tablet needs to be taken. If the person in question struggles with incontinence, try to set them up in a room with a toilet attached or close to the toilet where possible. This will make it easier for them when they need to use the bathroom. Lastly, ensure that they have plenty of emotional support – this is a stressful time for both of you so you need to be there for each other. Take time to talk to one another, not just about the struggles of the day but just about your lives in general to take some of the stress out of the situation.

Categories: care, Crisis, elderly person, Family Wellness, person, situation, Stress, time, work

7 Ways EMRs Streamline Health Care

The problem of health care is not just one of cost, it’s one of infrastructure. Simply put, hospitals and practices operate inefficiently. The paper transfer of medical records leaves too much room for error, and the patient suffers in the interim.

 

Health technology is in deployment, but will take time to truly become protocol for hospitals. In the interim, practices are discovering some amazing benefits to electronic medical record adoption.

 

Billing

Patient billing is a perpetual source of headache for hospitals, usually because it involves so many cogs. Staff must speak with insurance companies and provide verification of treatment before being notified of whether they qualify for payment, and then the patient is billed the remainder. The process is a hassle that will be made much simpler as electronic medical records become the industry standard. When doctors can accurately record a patient’s diagnosis as it happens, the room for dispute shrinks and the process becomes more efficient.

 

Prescriptions

Prescriptions will be filed digitally, but for now doctors can use EMRs to record patient medication usage and treatment recommendations. Doctors can currently use EMR technology to lookup pharmacies for a patient, make recommendations and track the patient’s medications schedule remotely. In the future, this data may include patient check-ins to accurately record times that medication has been taken.

 

Diagnosis

A patient’s diagnosis based around EMR technology will incorporate historical data about past conditions and family knowledge as well. Doctors will have a top-level perspective of a patient’s medical history and list of common allergies. The patient will be relied upon less for data, hopefully increasing the accuracy of a prognosis.

 

Treatments

Treating a patient off-site will become more accurate as EMR technology incorporates with applications in the home. Patietns can already use their smartphones to track how many calories they eat or how often they exercise, in the future we may see technology that tracks blood pressure or changes to glucose levels in real-time. These sources of data will help doctors diagnose a patient as they are medicated, resulting in a more accurate treatment schedule with predictable outcomes.

 

Scheduling

Patient scheduling currently integrates with a doctor’s calendar using medical scheduling software. Simple additions like color coding help prioritize a doctor’s schedule and give staff easy reference when a patient calls in. The hope is that this reduces time on the phone, allowing staff more time to focus on patient needs in the practice itself. In the future, patients may schedule or even fulfill appointments online using video chat software.

 

Accuracy

With more methods of collecting data comes greater accuracy in that data. A patient can carry a pedometer, but an app designed to track a patient’s walking and eating habits serves benefit to both parties. Instead of hitting a number, the goals are more quantifiable. Health professionals hope that patients will be more enthusiastic about their own care, but that they will use these tools correctly. The data collected is only useful if the patient is honest, like a GPS tracker that is driven rather than walked around a park.

 

Efficiency

With greater access to data, doctors spend less time chasing after patient data. Things like patient history and family genes will be part of that profile in the future, giving doctors an at-a-glance understanding of what’s wrong with a patient.

 

The practices that focus most on preparation stand to gain the most from the technology. Build your health infrastructure with your staff in mind, encourage inclusion and sponsor programs that teach how the technology works.

Categories: accurately record, care, data, electronic medical, EMR, emr technology, health, health care, medical records, nbsp, patient, technology

Could Chiropractic Care be Suitable for Your Pet?

Chiropractors are trained to help alleviate pain and treat a range of conditions, including the nervous system. But did you realise that there are people trained to provide chiropractic care to your pets? If your pet is suffering with certain conditions, this form of care could be just the thing they need to get back to fit health again.

Chiropractic care focuses on the nervous system – dysfunction in this area can lead to a variety of illnesses and health conditions, and this form of care can restore the nerve flow to the body. The difference between chiropractic care and other forms of treatment is that this gets to the root of the problem, rather than simply treating the symptoms. When a joint is misaligned, it can lose motion and its position, for example. Chiropractors can restore the function and subluxation, so that it works efficiently again. The most common conditions treated with this form of treatment include ear infections, seizures, arthritis, hot spots, neurological conditions, sudden back leg paralysis, abnormal gait and injuries which have occurred as a result of a fall or trauma. It can also be used to treat pets who have undergone a variety of tests, all of which are normal even though the pet is clearly still unwell.

Some animal chiropractors can provide wellness care, which is for healthy pets whose owners wish to prevent conditions from developing. For example, getting your pets spine checked a couple of times a year can greatly reduce the risk of a condition that is often disregarded as ‘old age’. In a typical chiropractic appointment, your pet’s history would be discussed and any imaging or treatment records may also be looked at. This will almost certainly take place if your pet has a current condition for which they’ve had specific tests.
Neurological tests may be performed, as well as stance and gait analysis, after which your pet will be adjusted. Most animals enjoy this, although on their first visit they may be a little nervous. However, once they realise that it isn’t painful and that they feel better afterwards, most relax and enjoy the treatment. It’s important that you seek out a chiropractor who is trained to perform adjustments on animals, as a normal trained chiropractor will not be equipped to do so. Pets are naturally very different to humans and their spine and biomechanics work differently. It’s not just dogs who can receive this treatment, either – cats, rabbits and even birds are all suitable.

This form of treatment can be very effective for dogs, for example, who compete in shows and competitions. It is a fantastic form of therapy for improving agility and flexibility in animals, and can be very effective in pets who suffer from joint problems, such as arthritis.

There have been a number of success stories for animals who have suffered injuries who serious conditions who have benefited greatly from this therapy, being restored to full health after a course of chiropractic treatments. Depending on where you live, you may need a referral from your vet in order to see an animal chiropractor – this is something you will need to discuss with your pet’s vet. It’s worth noting that chiropractors don’t replace regular medication for your animal. They can be useful in complementing the medication though, and provided that your animal is up to date with their annual exams, they could benefit enormously from this treatment.

Categories: care, chiropractic, chiropractic care, conditions, Neurological tests, pet, pets, treatment

Unwanted Pregnancy? Find Out the Options Available to You

More often than not, pregnancy is presented as this wonderful time in which you’re glowing and excited for motherhood. For many women, this happens to be the case. However, finding out that you are pregnant may give rise to very different feelings for different people. You may be happy and excited about it, or scared and uncertain as to what to do. The important thing to remember is that all of these feelings are normal. The decisions you now have to make take an understandable toll on your emotional wellness. If you are pregnant, you have four choices to consider. You can keep the pregnancy and have the baby – which we’ll visit a bit more later on – you can keep the pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption, you can keep the pregnancy and give the baby into foster care or you can have an abortion.

 

With regards to this latter option, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. By the time they are 45 years old, one in three women in the UK will have an abortion. If it’s not possible for you to have the baby, you can contact your GP or sexual health clinic. All of your treatment will be completely free and confidential, even if you are under 16. While it’s legal to have an abortion at any time before you reach week 24 of your pregnancy, it’s far better for your wellbeing if you contact the services as early as possible, as this means you’ll have more options. If you do decide to have an abortion, you may need to attend more than one appointment at the clinic, although, in most cases, the abortion itself will be carried out as a day procedure. An initial appointment will give you the opportunity to talk through the procedure and your choices. The procedure may then be carried out on a different day.

 

Depending on how far along you are, you will have either a medical or a surgical abortion. Early on in a pregnancy – up to nine weeks – you can have a medical abortion in which you take two sets of pills over two visits (24 or 48 hours apart). You take the tablets orally on your first visit, and then internally on your second visit, and this causes the pregnancy to pass out of your body. With this kind of abortion, it’s common to experience discomfort, very strong cramps and heavy bleeding, which normally lasts for approximately three to five hours until the pregnancy has passed. However, it’s more common to have a surgical abortion, in which gentle suction is used to empty the uterus. The procedure, which only lasts for five to 10 minutes, can be done under either local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic. Regardless of the method of abortion you use, it’s vital that you talk to someone at the clinic about your contraceptive choices afterwards. Most types of contraception can be started immediately after you have had the procedure.

 

However, if you decide to continue your pregnancy, you need to look after your wellbeing – and your baby’s – as soon as possible. This means you need to visit your GP as soon as possible to begin your antenatal care (which is a term used for care leading up to the birth of the baby). Your doctor will arrange all the scans and midwife appointments you need, as well as giving you plenty of information about how to care for yourself and your growing baby during pregnancy. This will include avoiding drugs and alcohol, avoiding smoking and cigarette smoking, healthy eating, regular exercise and taking folic acid during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.

Categories: abortion, antenatal care, Baby, care, pregnancy, procedure, surgical abortion

Accident Timeline: When To Seek Medical Care

 

Many people make the mistake of assuming that they are okay after a car accident because they do not feel any immediate pain or other symptoms. However, it is imperative to always get yourself checked out after you have been involved in a traffic incident because many injuries will not make themselves immediately known.

 

In fact, some of the most damaging injuries can be hidden at first due to the fact that you will have a high level of adrenaline coursing through your body. However, according to one New York accident lawyer, ”seeking medical attention is important whether you feel as if you are hurt or not.”

 

Top Reasons to Seek Immediate Medical Care

 

1. Head Injuries – It is common for people who are suffering from a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury to be unaware that anything is wrong during the immediate aftermath of being injured. Because of this, you could inadvertently cause yourself to suffer from brain damage or even end up passing away as a result of your injury. Fortunately, the majority of these potential issues can be avoided if you simply go to a medical professional immediately after the accident for a quick checkup.

 

2. Back and Neck Injuries – Although many people will immediately feel pain or stiffness in their neck or back after an injury, it is also relatively common for people to walk away from an accident without noticing that they have any injuries until the next day. Again, this is cause by the adrenaline factor, and there is also some evidence to suggest that there are certain hereditary factors that can have an impact on how long it takes for an individual to begin feeling pain after sustaining certain injuries.

 

3. To Secure Your Legal Rights – Even if you feel completely fine after a traffic accident, you should still take the time to get verification that nothing is wrong from your doctor. If you fail to do this, you could end up being forced to deal with all of your medical expenses later on if you do end up developing issues from the incident. After all, if you do not have solid medical proof that your injury can be directly traced to the accident, it could become impossible to file a successful lawsuit against the responsible party.

 

4. Consider Your Family’s Needs – What would happen to your family if you were suddenly unable to work? The odds are high that this would cause them to deal with financial issues, and this alone is a good enough reason to receive immediate medical attention so that you will be properly prepared if it becomes necessary to take legal action.

 

 

As you can see, there is no good reason to avoid getting a medical checkup after you have been involved in a traffic accident. Keep in mind that this will give your family peace of mind, and it will provide you all of the necessary medical documentation if you end up needing to file a lawsuit. It is also important to contact an accident lawyer right away if your doctor determines that you have suffered from a serious injury as a result of an incident that was caused by another driver.

 

 

Writer Melanie Fleury has been in accidents and made the mistake of not getting medical care as quickly as she should have. One New York accident lawyer says that “getting proper medical attention is vital to your health and your case”. If you don’t seek medical attention quickly after your accident it can affect the compensation that you are entitled to.

 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/80497449@N04/8677835326/

Categories: accident, accident lawyer, care, Medical, medical attention, medical care, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, seek medical, traffic accident, york accident

Stuck In the Past: Caring For Those With Alzheimers

Helping a loved one who has contracted Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult and emotionally draining experience. However, there are several techniques that you can utilize to help reduce the strain on everyone involved. As an added bonus, some of these techniques can even help the Alzheimer’s patient improve their quality of life and retain some of their most important memories for longer.

 

 

Top Tips for Alzheimer’s Care

 

1. Be Careful When Creating a Schedule – It is imperative to help an Alzheimer’s patient by developing a daily routine to reduce their level of confusion. For example, it is a good idea to schedule their meals at the same time each day. Additionally, it is likely that there will be certain times of the day when they tend to be in a calmer state. Once you have determined when these times are, you can use it to your advantage to schedule any necessary medical appointments and other difficult tasks.

 

2. Help Your Loved One Stay Involved – Many Alzheimer’s caregivers are tempted to simply take care of everything instead of involving their loved one. After all, this removes the necessity of getting the patient to cooperate with the task at hand. However, keeping them involved in almost every aspect of their daily life can actually help them with their memory and self-esteem.

 

3. Consider Moving Them into an Assisted Living Facility – Alzheimer’s disease is a heartbreaking condition that can be emotionally devastating for the patient’s family members. Additionally, many home caregivers are not properly equipped to meet all of the patient’s needs. Therefore, it is important to consider moving your loved one into an assisted living facility that specializes in Alzheimer’s care. Chateau Vestavia, an assisted living community in Alabama, offers a life enrichment program called Memory Care for residents who suffer from Alzheimers.

 

4. Remove Unnecessary Distractions – It can be extremely difficult for an Alzheimer’s patient to focus during conversations, mealtime and other essential components of their day if there is background noise or other unnecessary distractions. For example, you should never leave the TV on if you are attempting to have a conversation with your loved one.

 

5. Patience Is Key – It is understandable that dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful, but you should never allow yourself to lose your patience with them. Doing so would only confuse them, and it could also cause them to feel so stressed out that they no longer feel comfortable with you around. Therefore, if you feel like it is possible that you will lash out at them, you should temporarily remove yourself from the situation.

 

In most cases, it makes sense for an Alzheimer’s patient to move into an assisted living facility. After all, these communities offer a high level of specialized care that can help improve the quality of their life. Additionally, it will help remove your burden of being a personal caregiver, and this will enable you to focus your attention solely on having good experiences with your loved one. This can make the process of dealing with Alzheimer’s easier for everyone involved, and it can also help assuage any feelings of guilt you have that are associated with caring for them at home.

Writer Melanie Fleury has a grandmother-in-law that suffers from Alzheimer’s. She sees the heartbreak on the faces of her children when their great grandmother does not recognize them. Chateau Vestavia “embraces what science has proven effective in the fight against Alzheimer’s and Dementia”. The website of the Chateau was used to learn more about caring for those with memory conditions.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/see-through-the-eye-of-g/8368764205/

Categories: alzheimer, alzheimers, care, Caring, chateau vestavia, involved, living facility, nbsp, past, patient, unnecessary distractions

Men: How to Take Good Care of Your Penis

For men, sexual wellness is paramount. They need to feel that their penis is in good working order in order to protect their mental and emotional wellbeing. The truth is, men, that in order to preserve your sex life, you really need to take care of your penis.

 

Every day, men who are uncircumcised should pull back the foreskin that covers the head of their penis, and wash around the top. If this is not done, yeast infections and other problems can develop. Men who are circumcised should also give the area a good wash.

 

The good news is, sex is also recommended for the health of your penis. To keep your privates in good working order, it’s a wise idea to give them a workout at least once a week. This flushes the system with blood, which nourishes, oxygenates and promotes wellbeing in the area. It also boosts prostate health and sperm production. If intercourse is not possible, men should consider giving themselves a manual release.

 

Men should also not forget about their testicles either. Once a month, after a warm shower or bath (which relaxes the scrotum), men should gently roll each of their testicles between their fingers. They should find that each one is oval shaped and smooth, and feels kind of like a peeled boiled egg (but hopefully not as big) If you find anything unusual in the way of lumps or bumps, you should go to the doctor and get checked out immediately. Testicular cancer has a 97 percent cure rate if it is caught early, so it’s vital that you don’t ignore any warning signs.

 

Once a year, when you reach the age of 40, you should ensure that you visit the doctor for a prostate check.

Categories: care, men, nbsp, order, penis, Wellbeing, working order

What"s the Price Tag on Your Smile? Ways to Improve Your Teeth

There are plenty of reasons to fear a trip to the dentist. Most of these fears are irrational, but one of them is completely logical. That is the fear of over paying for good dental care. No one likes to spend money to sit in an uncomfortable chair and be prodded by a dentist, especially with the outrageous costs of treatment. However, there are ways to be frugal, even when it comes to medical aid.

 

Cash Discount

Some dentists offer cash discounts. Not everyone has the cash upfront to cover a dental bill, but if you do, you can probably save yourself some money in the long run. Credit card payments take time to fully process, and they can sometimes cause problems for the dental office. Because of this, many dentists appreciate cash payments and sometimes offer rewards for them. You can always talk to your dentist to see if he or she would be willing to practice such a method, if they do not already.

Strategic Appointments

It is possible to separate a major dental appointment into two smaller visits that land on the end of one coverage year and the beginning of another. This way you can avoid exceeding your coverage limit by only adding half of the cost of a major appointment to your current year. Many dentists are willing to work with patients in this way. However, most patients are unaware of this option.

Clinical Studies

Many clinics often ask patients to participate in studies, allowing them to get dental work done for free. If you need to get your wisdom teeth removed, but can’t foot the bill, you might try looking into one of these studies—you could get this procedure done for free! A Salt Lake City wisdom teeth research clinic has been able to offer patients in Utah free wisdom teeth removal—making it possible for them to have this necessary procedure done without breaking the bank.

Revolving Payment Plan

One way to deal with massive dental bills is to break them down into smaller payments that can be dealt with over time. Many dental offices are willing to set up a revolving payment plan that allows patients to pay a portion of the bill every week or month. There are usually no interest fees, and most dentists will be lenient with long time patients.

Preventative Care

The best way to save money on dental care is to avoid it altogether. This does not mean that you should let your teeth rot out of your head. Instead, try to take home dental care more seriously. Brushing twice a day is great, but flossing is the best preventative dental care there is. Most dental problems are related to gum health, so be sure to floss twice a day to keep your gums strong and healthy. This will save you money by preventing gum disease and other health problems.

 

Medical bills are one of the largest expenses nation wide. There is no harm in trying to find new and innovative ways to save money on your dental bill. The best way to do this is to simply talk with your dentist. If they care about their patients, then they will be willing to offer advise on how to best handle your medical bills.

Categories: appointments, care, cash, Dental, dental care, medical bills, money, Patients, revolving payment, save money, Smile, wisdom teeth

5 Ways to Be Your Own Health Care Advocate

Dealing with a serious illness is a stressful situation. Not only are you living with the symptoms of your ailment, you’re also trying to navigate the complexities of the health care system and follow your doctor’s orders.

 

Many patients take a passive approach to their health care, allowing the doctor to control the process by not asking questions and going along with treatments even if they don’t fully understand what’s happening and why. As a result, these patients end up feeling less satisfied with their care — and somewhat helpless in their time of need.

 

You don’t have to feel this way, though. There’s a growing movement among health care providers and patients to develop more collaborative and team-oriented methods of delivering services with the goal of improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. As the patient, you can help by becoming your own health care advocate. By speaking up for yourself and taking back some control of the health care process, you have a better chance of a full recovery and could even save some money.

Ask Questions

The most important part of being your own health care advocate is asking questions. Why is the doctor recommending a particular treatment? Are there any other options? What is the expected outcome? When you have a better understanding of the reasoning behind your doctor’s recommendations, you’re more likely to follow through with the plan and get better as a result.

 

If there is ever a time when you don’t understand something, such as when you are signing consent forms, you must ask questions. Doctors are experts in their fields and often make decisions or recommendations based on their specialized knowledge, forgetting patients may not share that knowledge. Ask for clarification on anything you don’t understand, and additional resources if necessary.

 

Most physicians are happy to answer questions and help their patients understand their treatment plans. If you feel like your doctor isn’t forthcoming with information, or dismisses your concerns, it may be time to find a different doctor who is more responsive to your concerns.

Be Prepared

One of the most common complaints among doctors are what they call the “doorknob complaints:” A patient comes in for a particular ailment, and when the doctor is on his way out the door after the visit, the patient reveals another issue he needs help with.

 

Not only does this cost your physician valuable time, it also prevents you from getting the best possible care as your doctor may be rushed or unprepared. To ensure the best care, come to your appointments prepared and ready to discuss all of your issues. You should also be prepared with lists of your medications, allergies and other factors that could impact your care plan.

Take Notes

When you’re sick or hurt, remembering everything your doctor says may be a challenge. Even at a routine check-up, things may move too quickly for you to retain everything you hear. And if you are in the hospital, you will probably deal with multiple providers, all of whom will give you new information. Take notes during your visits with doctors or bring someone else along to do it for you. That way, if you have questions later, you can refer to your notes or remind your provider of something that was said earlier.

Follow Up

Sometimes, advocating for yourself requires being persistent in your efforts to get answers. If you don’t get the information or resolution you’re looking for immediately, keep asking and escalate the situation if necessary. Your health is too important to leave to chance, so don’t let important issues go without appropriate resolution.

Know Your Finances

Health care is expensive. Even if you have insurance, co-payments and deductibles can take money out of your pocket, so it’s important to stay on top of your bills and know exactly what you are paying for. Ask about alternatives to expensive tests or medications (or use a card like that offered by Afford RX to cut your costs) and carefully examine every bill. Medical billers are human, and a simple typo could result in a significant increase in your bill. And don’t be afraid to ask about the cost before receiving treatment. Having an idea of the cost will help you make better-informed decisions.

 

Being your own health care advocate does not mean arguing with your doctor at every turn or questioning his or her every recommendation. It means taking back some of the control of your health care, and acting in your best interests and collaborating with your provider for the best possible outcomes. You owe it to yourself to speak up.

 

 

About the Author: A former patient advocate at a large hospital, Mary Connors worked with hundreds of patients to help them speak up and advocate for themselves. She now blogs about health care issues.

Categories: Advocate, care, care advocate, doctor, Finances, health, health care, nbsp

Healthcare Tips to Keep You Healthy as You Get Older

Everyone wants to be healthy, but as you get into adulthood it becomes harder to know how to achieve this – you don’t have routine check-ups in the same was as when you were a child, as there’s no-one checking you’ve ticked off the basic health checks anymore. There are plenty of things you do every day that really contribute towards good health, such as hand washing and vaccines, which we all know are good for us in order to stave off illnesses. However, what about the basics of good health care? Paying attention to the signs and symptoms of health problems is the best way to ensure you stay healthy, whether that’s unexplained weight loss to changes in your bowel habits. The more information you can provide your GP with in such situations, the more easily they will be able to diagnose you. Naturally, topping this watchful eye up with regular check-ups and health screenings will make sure that any concerns are spotted early on to make treatment more successful.

Regular dental check-ups are important to keep your oral health in check. Basic dental care is often overlooked, so next time you think you’re too tired to brush your teeth or floss, remember that your smile depends on those extra five minutes of effort. Keep an eye on any decay or if your teeth begin to ache, and get an appointment booked with your dentist as soon as possible to have any cavities or plaque problems dealt with quickly before they damage your teeth and gums. You should also make a note of common dental care tips, such as whether an electric toothbrush is better for your teeth over a normal toothbrush, or whether whitening toothpaste really works. Getting a regular check-up with your dentist every six months will help you stay on top of your dental care. Likewise, your skin requires a watchful eye and regular care. This means more than simply taking your make-up off before you go to bed though. The sun can cause a lot of damage, so you need to avoid sitting out in the sun for hours on end, and wear sun cream regularly. A healthy diet goes a long way towards ensuring your skin stays healthy, but you need to understand the risks of tattoos and piercings too. Find out the best ways to treat infections, skin rashes and acne – whatever your skin needs, ensure that you source it.

Are your nails healthy? And would you spot the difference if they weren’t? Many people don’t think to look at their nails, but they can be a great indicator of your health. If they’re ridged or weak, it could be a sign that you’re lacking nutrients in your diet. Proper nail care is vital, whether they’re healthy or not, so make sure that you trim and moisturise your nails regularly to keep them strong. And this is especially the case if you rely on manicures to keep your nails looking good – if they’re brittle and splitting, you should avoid the harsh chemicals and treatments they use until you regain stronger nails. Being aware of your body and what’s right for you is the first step towards being healthy – it helps you spot the signs of potential problems early so that you can find out what is wrong and get treatment. If you are invited to health screenings for your age, you should take part as they often spot the signs that you’ve missed.

Categories: care, Check Ups, dental care, general health, health, health checks, health screenings, Healthy, nails, regular check, Symptoms, watchful eye

At Home Hospice: 5 Ways to Care for an Elderly Loved One

When an elderly loved one is approaching the end of their life, setting up an at-home hospice can offer an option to families who want to ensure their loved one enjoys the best quality of life possible. Fortunately, this can be arranged by making a few simple preparations that will help the caregiver tend to the patient’s needs. Here are five important ways to provide optimum care for a loved one when setting up an at-home hospice.

 

Set Up a Comfortable Room

The first thing a person will need to do when setting up a home hospice is choose a room that has easy access for the caregiver and is comfortable for the patient. Ideally, this room should be on the ground floor and located near a sink or bathroom facility. Then, a safe bed should be comfortably arranged, and a few personal touches can be added to make the patient feel at home.

 

Plan for Personal Hygiene

In an at-home hospice, personal hygiene is of the utmost importance to prevent bedsores and skin rashes that can afflict those unable to leave their bed. Therefore, it is important to create a plan for bathing and washing a loved one’s hair. Those who are bedridden can be bathed using a basin of water and a soft washcloth. It is also important to change the bed linens frequently.

 

Arrange for Medicine Management

Elderly patients frequently take several different medications that will need to be managed by either an in-home care provider or a designated member of the person’s family. Keeping a log of which medicines were given and at what time they were provided can help everyone keep track of when it is time for another dose.

 

Stock Up on Medical Supplies

Depending upon a patient’s medical needs, they may require specific medical supplies. Catheters are a common need for those who are unable to leave the bed that can increase comfort. Breathing apparatuses and other equipment should also be on hand, and all caregivers should be trained regarding how to provide the right types of medical support.

Provide Companionship and Comfort

Once the physical needs for the patient have been handled, the next step is to provide the companionship and comfort that makes at-home hospice care the preferred choice for many families. Arrange a schedule for caregivers that ensures the patient always has someone nearby to tend to their needs.

 

Assisting a loved one through the final stages of life can be made easier through a well-planned at-home hospice set up. By providing your loved one with everything they need to be physically and mentally comfortable, you will be able to ease their transition while providing them with compassionate care.

Categories: care, elderly, Home, home hospice, Hospice, medical supplies, nbsp, patient, personal hygiene

Beware of Dog: Proper Care of an Animal Bite

Even the happiest and friendliest of dogs can suddenly turn on and bite you. When you are bitten by a dog, whether it be a stray or a dog belonging to a friend or family member, you should act immediately to make sure the bite does not become infected.

 

According to one Charlotte NC personal injury lawyer, when an attack or bite occurs, medical treatment is required in 30 percent of cases. Immediately after being bitten, it is vital that you take certain steps to protect your health and perhaps the safety of your family and friends.

 

a) Clean Out the Bite

After you have been bitten by a dog, you should go right away to a sink and wash the wound out with warm water and mild soap. This cleaning will get rid of any food, dirt, or other particles that may have been implanted into your skin. After you clean out the wound, you should apply rubbing alcohol or peroxide to the wound and then wrap it loosely with a bandage. These preliminary steps will provide a first line of defense against infection.

 

b) Go to the Emergency Room

Even if you know the dog that bit you, you should still head to the emergency room for immediate treatment. At the ER, your wound can be cleaned out with the proper medication and then dressed for proper healing. Your doctor can also gather information about the dog’s history to make sure it is vaccinated against rabies.

 

If the dog belongs to a family member or friend, that person may be required by law to prove that the dog is current on its rabies vaccination. If the animal is a stray, an animal control officer will ask you where the animal is so that it can be captured and tested for rabies. If need be, you may need to undergo the appropriate injections to protect you from this disease.

 

c) Comply with the Law

Your doctor is obligated to report dog bites to the local law enforcement agency. Even if the dog is that of a friend or relative, it still may be taken into custody until the police can determine if it is not a danger to the public. Seeing your friend or family member’s dog taken from them can be heart-wrenching. However, this protective measure is required by law and is designed to protect the public. As painful as it is to witness, you must comply with the police and be honest about how and why the animal bit you.

 

d) Get an Attorney if Necessary

Once a beloved dog is taken into custody by the police, your neighbor, friend, or relative may turn on you and try to blame you for the bite. In fact, it should not be up to you to pay your medical bills or make up your lost income because of the dog owner’s negligence. You can protect yourself from the consequences of being bitten by someone else’s animal by hiring an attorney.

 

Your lawyer can make sure that a claim is filed against the dog owner’s home or renter’s insurance policy. This action can provide you with the proper amount of compensation as you recuperate from the dog bite.

 

Being bitten by a dog is a traumatic experience for anyone. You can make sure your bite does not get infected and make sure the animal is properly quarantined and tested for rabies by taking the appropriate actions after you are bitten.

 

Melanie Fleury is the proud mother to four human children and three four-legged ones. While the trusts her own dogs, she has always taught her children to ask before approaching other animals. Auger & Auger Attorneys at Law, a Charlotte NC personal injury lawyer, wants victims of dog bites to know that you may be able to obtain compensation for your injury if you or a loved one is attacked by a dog.

Categories: animal bite, care, Emergency Room