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	<title>Nurses Bath</title>
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	<link>http://www.nursesbath.com</link>
	<description>Innovative Patient Care Solutions</description>
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		<title>Salt Water Helps Heal Your Body – BedTx Makes It Easy</title>
		<link>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/08/salt-water-baths-to-help-heal-your-body-bedtx-makes-it-easy/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/08/salt-water-baths-to-help-heal-your-body-bedtx-makes-it-easy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:44:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lorianne</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Using BedTx]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nursesbath.com/?p=152</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Your skin is an excretive organ that mirrors the condition of your intestines. When you take a salt bath, salt minerals penetrate your skin in form of ions. This stimulation will cause natural cell growth in your living cell layers. When water and salt combine, the positive ions of the salt surround the negative ions [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/article-page-main-ehow-images-a04-jb-rj-salt-scrub-affect-skin-800x800.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-153 alignright" title="salt and the skin" src="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/article-page-main-ehow-images-a04-jb-rj-salt-scrub-affect-skin-800x800-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="135" height="135" /></a>Your skin is an excretive organ that mirrors the condition of your intestines. When you take a salt bath, salt minerals penetrate your skin in form of ions. This stimulation will cause natural cell growth in your living cell layers.</p>
<p>When water and salt combine, the positive ions of the salt surround the negative ions of the water molecules and the negative ions of the salt surround the positive ions of the water molecules. The ions become hydrolyzed and the geometrical structure of the salt and the water is changed to form a completely new structure.</p>
<p>In this process called hydration, the biophotons (photons emitted spontaneously by all living systems) stored in the crystal salt are set free in the brine, which occurs without any additional energy. This is pure hydration energy.</p>
<p>Salt is also a natural disinfectant. To get the full benefits of a therapeutic salt bath, the right salt concentration is critical. The salt concentration has to be at least the same as the one of your body fluids (approximately 1%) to activate the osmotic exchange ratio.</p>
<p>To avoid using body energy to balance the temperature, the water should be approximately 37° Celsius (97° Fahrenheit). Your bath will remain at a constant temperature because the biophysical composition of the salt is so strong &#8211; it causes the molecules to move in a constant rhythm.</p>
<p>Using The <a href="http://www.nursesbath.com">BedTx </a>System takes the guesswork out of salt bathing. Simply wheel the BedTx up to the bed with the salt bath components in place and go! Our system is designed to calibrate the correct salt levels and maintain proper temperatures.</p>
<p>While anyone can benefit from a salt bath, it is particularly soothing for those with:</p>
<p>· Various skin diseases<br />
· Rheumatoid and joint diseases<br />
· A post-operative care regimen<br />
· Gynecological diseases<br />
· Recurring infections<br />
· Severe insect bites, blisters or wounds<br />
· Skin irritations from poison oak, ivy or sumac</p>
<p>During your bath, the temperature and the makeup of the salt bath is comparable to the amniotic fluid in which the embryo floats in the prenatal state.</p>
<p>No need to shower off, simply dry off with a towel.<br />
After your salt bath, you should rest for at least 30 minutes.</p>
<p>*WARNING: While brine baths have a positive effect on many ailments, they are also demanding on your circulatory system. If you suffer from weak or poor heart circulation, always consult your doctor first.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Caring For Yourself While Caring For Others</title>
		<link>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/08/how-to-avoid-caregiver-burnout/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/08/how-to-avoid-caregiver-burnout/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:07:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lorianne</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Caregiver Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[How To]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/?p=114</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Caring for a sick or disabled loved one can be stressful. The physical and emotional demands of caring for  another can take a serious toll on the body, mind and relationships. In addition, there can be added financial strain if caring for a loved one at home. If you are not sleeping well, if you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-115" title="1" src="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1-150x150.jpg" alt="cargiving" width="150" height="150" /></a>Caring for a sick or disabled loved one can be stressful. The physical and emotional demands of caring for  another can take a serious toll on the body, mind and relationships. In addition, there can be added financial strain if caring for a loved one at home.</p>
<p>If you are not sleeping well, if you interactions with friends and family or coworkers seem strained, if you find yourself exhausted, feeling hopeless and depressed, you need to consider the possibility you might be  burning out. The good news is that you are not alone. There are resources and help available for caregivers.</p>
<p>Here are a few  things you can do to combat caregiver burnout:</p>
<p><span id="more-114"></span></p>
<div id="article_text_blocks">
<ul>
<li><strong>Learn as much as you can</strong> about the injury or illness of the person you care for. Knowledge is power and the more you know, the more effective you&#8217;ll be. This can help you to feel more confident and accomplished in your day to day care giving duties.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Know your limits.</strong> Be clear and realistic about how much time and energy you can give; communicate those limits to doctors, family members, and any other appropriate people involved.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Accept your feelings</strong>. Care giving is filled with stress, anxiety and many other difficult emotions. As long as you are not compromising the one you care for, it is okay to allow yourself to feel what you feel. Accepting and taking care of yourself is the best way to accept and care for someone else.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Find a support group or network.</strong> Most areas have support groups for caregivers. The internet is also a great resource for finding groups. Find the one that is a fit for you. Talk to people about what you feel; don&#8217;t keep your emotions bottled up. If you cannot find one or are not comfortable sharing with a group, trusted friends and family members can help too. Seeing a therapist or counselor is also a good way to help avoid burn out by sharing your feelings and thoughts.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>If possible, rotate or share responsibilities</strong> with other caregivers or family members. It&#8217;s okay to ask for help. Accept your feelings and the fact that you cannot do it all alone and that&#8217;s okay, nobody can! Remember, there is a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one&#8217;s independence.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Take care of yourself</strong> emotionally and physically. Get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet and try to exercise each day. Spend quality time with yourself. Get a massage, meditate, see a movie, take a walk on the beach, eat an occasional banana split; whatever you consider to be a relaxing, rejuvenating activity &#8211; find time to just do it!</li>
</ul>
<p>Caring for others is a centuries-old, honorable act of kindness, love and loyalty so remember:<br />
<strong><em>&#8220;It&#8217;s not the load that breaks you down, it&#8217;s the way you carry it.&#8221; ~ Lena Horne</em></strong></p>
</div>
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		<item>
		<title>Finding and Hiring a Home Caregiver</title>
		<link>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/07/hiring-caregivers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/07/hiring-caregivers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:00:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lorianne</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[How To]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bedridden care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[caregiver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[caregiving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[elderly care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hiring home health worker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homecare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nurses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reducing stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior care]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/?p=66</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Part 1 &#8211; Using a Professional Agency Choosing to hire an in-home caregiver can be an emotional decision. You can search for and hire a private caregiver or use a care giving agency. The biggest advantage to using an agency is that they perform screening, hiring, management and payment of the caregiver. Hiring an agency [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><strong><a href="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/interview.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-67 alignright" title="interview" src="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/interview-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Part 1 &#8211; Using a Professional Agency</strong></h3>
<div>Choosing to hire an in-home caregiver can be an emotional decision. You can search for and hire a private caregiver or use a care giving agency. The biggest advantage to using an agency is that they perform screening, hiring, management and payment of the caregiver. Hiring an agency can take a lot of the stress out of the process by eliminating a family&#8217;s need to perform these tasks. To find the best caregiver for the job by using an agency try following some of these helpful tips:</div>
<div><span id="more-66"></span></p>
<div><em></em></p>
<div>
<p><em><strong>To Find A Great Caregiver, Start By Finding A Great Agency</strong></em></p>
<p>One good resource for finding an agency is with your local <em>Area Agency on Aging</em> (AAA). Area agencies on aging can provide you with information about services available in your area. They will have information on home care agencies and many maintain a database of agencies that includes ratings. To find the AAA in your area, check your local telephone directory.</p>
<p>Another way to find a good agency is to ask friends, relatives or even family physicians for recommendations. If you don&#8217;t know anyone who&#8217;s ever used an agency, you can start your search by simply using your local yellow pages or internet search and requesting and checking the references an agency provides. Even if you are dealing with an agency recommended by a family member or friend, it is still a good idea to ask the agency for additional references. A reputable agency should be able to readily provide you with this information.</p>
<p>Once you have narrowed your search, contact the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have ever been filed against the agencies that you are considering. They can also tell you how long the agency has provided this kind of care in your area.</p>
<p><em><strong>Know What You Need</strong></em></p>
<p>There are different levels of care, so there are different levels of caregivers. They can be anything from simple companions to nurses trained and licensed to perform medical tasks. Make a list of the types of duties you will require your caregiver to perform. This will help the agency decide what type training and or skills your caregiver should possess. In general, salaries increase with skill level.</p>
<p>Be prepared with a list of job requirements such as hours of work per week, dress code, what type of(if any) written reporting is expected. If your caregiver is to prepare meals, what sort of cooking is preferred &#8211; microwave, ethnic, special diet? Are there special language skills required? Include information about rules regarding use of the household&#8217;s items such as food, telephones, computers etc, along with information regarding any areas of the home that may be off limits. Be sure to inform the agency of any pets in the home also.</p>
<p><em><strong>Know What You Want</strong></em></p>
<p>Have an idea of the personality type you or the patient prefer in a caregiver. Would you prefer the cool, efficient professional, or a warm quiet sort, maybe you are interested in a bubbly, chatty personality. Formulate a mental image of the ideal personality as a starting place when meeting prospective agencies and caregivers.</p>
<p><em><strong>A Good Match</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong></strong></em>Look for an agency genuinely interested in ensuring that both you and your caregiver are a good fit for one another. Meeting with an agency should feel like a job interview for <em>both</em> sides. The agency should be asking you as many questions as you ask them, in order to find the best possible match for your situation and needs.</p>
<p><em><strong>Safety</strong></em></p>
<p>Unless required by the laws in your local area to perform a standard set of checks, different agencies may have different standards and policies when it comes to screening applicants and conducting police and reference checks. You should look for an agency willing to clearly explain in detail what types of screening checks they do on their employees. It may also be wise to ask about post-employment checks. If an employee has been with an agency over a period of time, do they perform any &#8216;refresher&#8217; tests or checks? You are about to entrust the well-being of your loved one to a stranger, so don&#8217;t be shy about asking to see supporting documents regarding your potential care giver&#8217;s background history.</p>
<p><strong>Performance And Skill Review</strong></p>
<p>When meeting with an agency, be sure to ask about what types of ongoing training they provide for their employees. Find out how often they review an employee&#8217;s performance and how that performance is supervised and monitored.</p>
<p><em><strong>Back-Up Plans</strong></em></p>
<p>What if your care giver has to be away due to illness or a family emergency? Does the agency provide backup? Many do not, so be sure to ask. If you love the agency or the caregiver you have chosen, but they do not provide a back-up, make a plan <em>now</em> to cover the possibility. This can help you to be prepared and avoid last minute stress later.</p>
<p><em><strong>Protecting Yourself</strong></em></p>
<p>Be sure to find out if the agency you will be using carries liability insurance and worker&#8217;s compensation insurance. If they do, ask the agency to provide you with documentation. If not, you may be liable for accidents in your home.</p>
<p>Are their caregivers bonded to protect you from theft or damage to your home? If so, by whom are they bonded and for how much? Again, supportive documents should be provided.</p>
<p>Is someone available 24 / 7 for you or your family to contact with problems or concerns?</p>
<p><em>Choosing the right agency can be made easier by being prepared; and being prepared will help you to get the information you need to ensure that your loved one will stay safe, healthy and happy.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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		<item>
		<title>Making Mealtime Easy &#8211; Tips For Caregivers</title>
		<link>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/06/easy-mealtime-tips/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nursesbath.com/2011/06/easy-mealtime-tips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:48:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lorianne</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Caregiver Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alzheimer's]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[caregiving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dementia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eating difficulties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[elderly care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homecare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meal preparation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reducing stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior care]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/?p=62</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mealtime can often be a challenge for people with dementia and their caregivers.  Honing in on the specific reasons why can help you develop a plan to reduce or eliminate mealtime stress. Sometimes medical problems can interfere with appetite. A sore mouth, an upset stomach, a reaction to a new medication, or a problem with [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><a href="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/table-setting4.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-63" title="silverware" src="http://www.nursesbath.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/table-setting4-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></em>Mealtime can often be a challenge for people with dementia and their caregivers.  Honing in on the specific reasons why can help you develop a plan to reduce or eliminate mealtime stress.</p>
<p>Sometimes medical problems can interfere with appetite. A sore mouth, an upset stomach, a reaction to a new medication, or a problem with denture fit can all add to eating difficulties.</p>
<p>Once you are sure these  or any other medical problem are not the cause, it may be time to look at other contributing factors.</p>
<p>Try to avoid power struggles over meals. This is not a good time to find out just how deeply your patient can dig in their heels. Rather than coaxing or chastising during a meal,  use these tips to set up a strategy to make mealtime successful and stress-free:<br />
<span id="more-62"></span></p>
<p><strong>Set A Simple Table</strong></p>
<p>Often, people suffering from dementia may become overwhelmed with too many food choices.</p>
<p>They may be confused about how to use utensils or how to eat the particular food served. They may be uneasy about the temperature, flavor, or lack of familiarity with certain food items. In addition, they may sometimes forget to eat,  or think they have already eaten.</p>
<p>When serving meals at home, try to eat in the same place and at the same time for each meal. Routine and predictability can be comforting to people who are confused.</p>
<p>Limit mealtime distractions by turning off the TV.</p>
<p>Clear the table of any distractions and use only the utensils necessary for the meal.</p>
<p>Changes in your patient&#8217;s visual and spatial relations may make it difficult for them to distinguish the food from the plate, so use solid colored plates and bowls. Place a contrasting colored place mat under the plate or bowl to help them identify and differentiate between the plate and the table.</p>
<p>Being faced with too many choices at once is difficult for someone with dementia. Try serving only one or two foods at a time. For example, serve juice and eggs first, then serve toast.</p>
<p><strong>Delicious And Nutritious</strong></p>
<p>Try to serve their personal favorites when possible, but keep in mind that a person with dementia may suddenly develop new preferences and favorites or reject foods they have loved in the past.</p>
<p>Remember that older or sedentary people in general do not need as many calories per day as younger or more active people do. So make meals that are not just engaging, but also healthy and nutritious.</p>
<p>If larger meals consistently are not consumed, look at scheduling more frequent, smaller meals and snacks,</p>
<p><strong>Encourage Independence</strong></p>
<p>Make use of whatever adaptive eating tools will encourage independence.</p>
<p>Use bowls instead of plates or use plates with rims or raised edges.</p>
<p>Use spoons instead of forks if that works better. Try using large handled utensils for better grip.</p>
<p>Be creative and serve nutritious finger foods or foods that can be picked up and eaten with the fingers.</p>
<p>Only fill cups and glasses half-way, use cups with lids or straws to make it easier for shaky hands.</p>
<p>Prepare easy to chew or soft foods when possible without compromising nutrition.</p>
<p>Cut less soft items into small pieces.</p>
<p><strong>Timing Is Everything</strong></p>
<p>Set aside plenty of time for meals. Not only does serving one food at a time extend mealtime, but you may also need additional time reminding him or her to chew and swallow carefully.</p>
<p>If necessary, offer supportive prompts throughout the meal such as: &#8220;Pick up the spoon . . . scoop up the cereal . . . put it in your mouth&#8230; chew&#8230;swallow .&#8221;</p>
<p>Be prepared for it to take an hour or longer for them to finish eating. Remember, an hour passed pleasantly having a meal is far better than a shorter, stressful meal.<br />
<em>If after implementing and using a meantime strategy your patient is still having difficulties during meals, you might want to discuss vitamins and nutritional supplements with their physician.</em></p>
<p><em> Whenever possible, eat together or as a family, making mealtime an opportunity for interaction. Pleasant company and conversation can help your patient look forward to mealtimes and set the stage for better eating and health!</em></p>
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