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6 Lifesaving Interventions for Children in Low-income Countries See this article with clinical pictures at http://www.healthservicecorps.org/6-interventions/ Saving the lives of children is one of the greatest joys of medical mission work. What if you could save the lives of not a few but of many children? This blog shares six very basic interventions that can help you achieve that aim. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates on child mortality, 5.9 million children under age five died in 2015, about 16,000 every day. The risk of a child dying before the age of five is still highest in the WHO African Region at 81 per 1000 live births, which is a dramatic seven times higher than in developed countries. For comparison, in the WHO European Region that number is about 11 per 1000 live births. The under-five mortality in low-income countries remains unacceptably high averaging 76 deaths per 1000 live births. This is about 11 times the average in developed countries, which is 7 deaths per 1000 live births. We believe short-term and long-term medical missions have an important role to play in reducing these inequities across the world. However, the extent of the effectiveness of our medical missions on child mortality will be directly correlated to the level at which we learn and engage with international standards for the care of children in low-income countries. These six interventions, if used and promoted widely, can at help engage medical missions in this important fight. The doses listed in this blog post represent current recommendations published by the WHO although this blog post is meant only as an overview of information. It is not a comprehensive study of dosing or treatment modalities. We recommend downloading the reference from which these dosing recommendations were obtained. To download the IMCI chart booklet for dosing and process information IMCI Chart Booklet and Dosing Reference Guide. The complete computer-based IMCI training programs can be downloaded from the Christian Health Service Corps website at CHSC Clinical Resources. Please use and share these six child lifesaving interventions for children living in resource-poor communities: 1. Promotion of exclusive breast feeding for infants younger than six months This is probably the simplest of all interventions and yet it is the most effective. Communities should be educated on the importance of breast feeding. Improving exclusive breastfeeding practices of infants under six months of age has the greatest potential impact on child survival, higher than all other preventive interventions. According to Vesel et al (2009) improved breastfeeding practices could prevent over 800,000 deaths in children under age five every year. Simply counselling all mothers of young infants about the need for exclusive breast feeding can save the lives of many infants. 2. Immunizations About 10% of the diseases affecting children under five years of age are preventable with vaccines. A review of 12 studies found that measles immunization was associated with reductions in total mortality that ranged from 30–86%. Additionally, providing vitamin A supplements as part of measles case management can reduce the case fatality rate by more than 50%. Collaborating with local health departments and ministries of health to deliver vaccinations in rural unreached areas remains an underutilized strategy by medical missions and global health programs. There are many barriers to vaccination delivery in rural villages for local governments. Limited personnel and maintaining cold chain are but a couple. This medical mission strategy could help close this gap for some regional health authorities and improve vaccination coverage. Few medical mission or service learning programs engage in this type of collaborative efforts, but these projects can have lasting impact on child survival in rural areas. 3. Parasite prophylaxis Remember, many children in low income countries receive less than 50-75% of the daily-required caloric intake for growing children. Parasites further compromise the nutritional status of children. The WHO standard for parasite prophylaxis is to give all children one year or older mebendazole if they have not had a dose in the previous six months. • Give 500mg mebendazole as a single dose in clinic if 1) hookworm/whipworm is a problem in the area in which you will be working, 2) the child is one year of age or older, or 3) the child has not had a dose in the previous six months. 4. Vitamin A treatment In malnourished, micronutrient-deficient children, Vitamin A supplementation can reduce mortality by up to 23%. Vitamin A is important in interrupting the cycle of malnutrition that makes even mildly malnourished children susceptible to death in the event of a viral or bacterial illness. The vicious cycle of malnutrition and the way in which it claims the lives of even mildly malnourished children is illustrated below. It is an important topic to consider before seeing pediatric patients in developing countries. Malnutrition underlies more than 50% of the deaths of children under age five in the developing world. Diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, malaria, and vaccine-preventable diseases are the primary killers of children under five, but malnutrition is often the underlying factor that precipitates the child’s death. Children in developing countries who exhibit any signs of malnutrition should receive Vitamin A in much higher doses than practitioners trained in developed countries are familiar with prescribing. It should be noted that active collaboration with local health authorities and record-keeping is a fundamental requirement. • Give the first dose of Vitamin A any time after six months of age to ALL CHILDREN; thereafter, give Vitamin A every six months to ALL CHILDREN. • Give an extra dose of Vitamin A (the same dose as for supplementation) as part of treatment if the child has measles or PERSISTENT DIARRHEA. • If the child has had a dose of Vitamin A within the past month, DO NOT GIVE VITAMIN A. • Always record the dose of Vitamin A given on the child’s chart (i.e., AGE, VITAMIN A DOSE). • Dosage: Six months up to twelve months – 100,000 IU; one year and older – 200,000 IU 5. Zinc supplementation Zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce diarrhea incidence by 18% and pneumonia incidence by 41%. All children age two months up to five years presenting with diarrhea should receive the following: Instruct the mother on how much zinc to give (20-mg tab): • Two months up to six months – half a tablet daily for 14 days; six months or older – one tablet daily for 14 days. Demonstrate to the mother how to give zinc supplements; have her verbalize and (ideally) demonstrate how to mix and give the first dose. • Infants – dissolve tablet in a small amount of expressed breast milk, ORS, or clean water in a cup. • Older children – tablets can be chewed or dissolved in a small amount of clean water in a cup. 6. Iron supplementation for Childhood Anemia In developing countries, childhood anemia is a manifestation of micronutrient malnutrition and is often worsened by recurrent bouts of malaria. It is an extremely common symptom of mild to severe forms of malnutrition. According to the IMCI child health standards, all children who exhibit signs of anemia should receive the following: . TALC has hemoglobin color strips to use with finger-stick blood tests available at low cost for short-term global health initiatives. Palmar Pallor is the WHO standard for assessment of anemia in children in resource limited settings where there is blood hemoglobin measure available. Iron supplementation has also been shown to improve child development in children over age two and can have a significant affect on micronutrient-deficient children. Give iron daily for 14 days in the presence of childhood anemia. Give an oral antimalarial co-artemether in the presence of anemia in high malaria-risk areas as follows. Give the first dose of co-artemether in the clinic, and observe for one hour. If the child vomits within an hour, repeat the dose. The second dose is given at home after eight hours, then twice daily for a further two days as shown below; co-artemether should be taken with food. World Health Organization, 2017) Vesel, et al., 2009 Hill, Kirkwood, & Edmond, 2004 WHO/UNICEF, 2014 Hill, Kirkwood, & Edmond, 2004 WHO/UNICEF, 2014 Hill, Kirkwood, & Edmond, 2004 Hill, Kirkwood, & Edmond, 2004) WHO/UNICEF, 2014

The clear benefit to having multiple agencies work together to manage a disaster is that communities can manage hazards and cope with disasters more quickly. Emergency management professionals provide the framework for a society's survival after disasters occur. Given how consistently disasters occur and the need to limit the damage from emergencies and disasters, there is now a need more than ever for emergency management professionals.  In addition to natural disasters, there are a variety of different scenarios and industries an emergency management professional might find themselves in, including: local and state government, hospitals, scientific and technical services, and higher education. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that jobs in this field will grow steadily well into 2024.  The below infographic, created by Arizona State University's Online Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) degree program, explores the field of emergency management and the various professions one might find in the field.

Many nurses put in 12-14 hour shifts, while a great deal of others work night shifts. Although these types of schedules are expected as a requirement of their job, many nurses expose themselves to different types of health risks that often are associated with prolonged work hours and disruptions to a normal circadian rhythm. To avoid health issues, it is critical to understand the nature of the problem and provide nurses and other workers with ways to reduce risks and manage late-shift schedules. This academic resource highlights health and wellbeing risks associated with 12-hour nursing schedules while providing tips and tricks to help hospital staff balance their circadian rhythm and reduce fatigue. This aims to create awareness around health problems and workplace errors that arise from lack of sleep and work-life balance, while providing materials that help create a better quality work environment for nursing staff.   With night shifts remaining popular among hospital staff, there is no sign of these lengthy shifts slowing down. It is important for nurses to take the necessary steps and health precautions for their own wellbeing so they can better take care of their patients.  To learn more, check out this infographic designed by Bradley University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

This is the handout for Session Three of the Human Trafficking Intensive, Developing a Response Protocol.

Key slides from intensive GMHC 2017

I saw a movie recently about two struggling families. The husbands had lost their jobs, and one of the wives could not keep up with the swelling bills, and of course lost her job as well. Things got so bad, the two families had to live in their cars on the streets. Luckily, one of the families got a hotel voucher and left the streets. Nothing was heard about them again. But the other family kept struggling, such that feeding became so impossible, their young son had to steal lunch at school. In fact, they got attacked by mobsters at night, and would have lost their lives. Now that scene made me wonder why anyone would steal from someone living on the streets. I mean, if they had any treasures, apart from their lives, they wouldn’t be on the streets. Then I concluded that if the blind could lead the blind, then the poor could steal from the poor. It’s the case of one person having a little advantage over the other. Such is life! For days this family didn’t take a bath. They only cleaned up at pubic restrooms.  They did everything they could to keep their condition from anyone, lest the authorities be informed, and they lose their children. As I watched, I could not help but come to terms with the fact that in the midst of plenty, there are some who starved, even unto death. Even though this family lived on the street, they were not entirely invisible. Someone should have noticed them, and reached out to help. But I guess everyone was busy with their own problems and activities, missions inclusive, that they did not notice this family. If someone had taken time to look within, they would have noticed this family. Compassion has eye that sees beyond the ordinary. The story of the Good Samaritan is one with many facets of truth, but you have to dig in to know this. A young Jewish man who was an expert in the law asked Jesus what he had to do to have eternal life. Jesus asked him what the law said. Of all the laws, he chose that which he believed was the simplest, “love the Lord with all thy heart and mind. And love thy neighbour as thyself”. “Wonderful”, Jesus said, “you are really smart. Well then, go and do what it says, and you shall have eternal life”. But his conscience was pricked, because he knew down in his heart, something was not right. To justify his foolishness, he asked, “Who is my neighbour?” I believe he was expecting Jesus to say, ‘your brothers and sisters”. But as usual, Jesus disappointed him by telling a thought provoking parable. Jesus told the story of a man who was robbed and left for dead on the street. Two people passed by and did nothing. Note Jesus’ choice of characters; a Priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. He could have used a shepherd, a carpenter and a businessman as His characters. But He did not. He chose characters that represented the highest offices in the Jewish community, and one that depicted a class system. What was He trying to say? Well, the Priest was the intercessor between God and the people. He knew exactly what God wanted, and how God wanted it. God communicated His desire and instructions to the people through him. So he very well knew God and the law. The Levite was the next in line. He served in the temple, and carried out rituals nobody else in all of Israel could do. The Levite was strictly under God’s “employment”. So, he too had a good knowledge of God and the law. The Samaritan was a nobody who didn’t share the same heritage and affluence of a Jew, as it was believed. The Jews didn’t think the Samaritans were good enough to relate with, so they had nothing to do with the Samaritans. The traveller’s identity was not revealed. He could have been a Jew or a Gentile. Regardless of who he was, he was half dead and could not identify the people who passed him by. At this point conscience and compassion are put to play. Let me try and figure out what was going on in the minds of the Priest and the Levite.  May be, as Priest and Levite of the Holy temple of God Almighty, they were hurrying up to the Temple for worship or to meet the needs of the people. They had to get to their holy duties on time! Give me a break! Well then, the Samaritan was a common man who had no privileged duty, and had all the time in the world, so he had compassion on the man and helped him to an inn, where he spent the night with this broken man as he had him taken care of.  Well, Jesus asked who amongst the three men qualified as a neighbour, and the young man answered, “the Samaritan.”  Trust me, that answer, simple as it was, was very heavy in the mouth of the Jewish man, for obvious reasons. “Well then,” Jesus said, “go and do likewise”. Ouch! The man must have gasped. I love the way Jesus humbles certain people who feel they know it all. Jesus’ answer to this young man was a blow below the belt. If you have missed the point of this story, like many do, let me help you here. The point about the story was not necessarily about who helped the injured man. The parable was not referring to the “love your neighbour as yourself’ statement that Jesus made. But it was rather referring to the “who is my neighbour”, that the young man mischievously asked. The story was an indictment on the Jews, who believed they knew the law, but fell short of its expectation. In this article, the parable about the Good Samaritan is not referenced with regards to the class system. No, as Christians, I believe we know better. The point of reference here is how we can easily forget the work around us, because of the “big deal” in front of us, like the Priest and the Levite. Jesus is thorough, and everywhere He went, He took care of the people in that place before heading out to His next assignment. As Christians, God expects more from us. We should know better than the unsaved morally inclined man or woman. Our love for humanity should go deeper, and our search engines from the inside out. Think about heaven, and walking into a lovely garden, and a man calls out to you and says you look familiar. By the time you start a conversation with the person, you found out that he lived on the street three blocks from you, and you saw him but never noticed them. And then you find out how he died: it was on a certain day you remember. You had your beautiful unique bags packed for a trip to Cambodia, and headed for the bus stop. You were so excited you were going on a mission’s trip to do the Lord’s bid.  And then the picture flashes back to you. That day as you waited at the bus stop in excitement, you did see a man on the floor, a few yards from you, writhing in pain. But you didn’t notice him, because you were headed for a very important trip.  And then in conclusion he says, “thirty minutes after your bus left, I saw myself in heaven and knew I had died”. Sad, isn’t it? We actually need the help of the Holy Spirit not to be oblivious of the lonely and destitute around us, because I believe it is sometimes an innocent error. So as we go about our missionary activities, let us pray that our eyes be opened to see “them’ that are amongst us and do the needful, being the Jesus that they need.

As a child, my favourite bible story was David and Goliath. The reason was obvious; a little boy killing wild animals, and finally a giant. He was my hero. I wanted to be like him, and if I couldn’t, then I imagined him as my unseen hero. As my relationship with God grew deeper, and I began to study the bible, I came across many other phenomenal stories, and one in particular that took the place of David and Goliath.  Growing up in an environment where people are often defined by what they owned or have achieved, my mind, as I believed was the majority of others, was set on achievements for the purpose of societal acceptance. I believed you had to be of a certain status to be accepted by the society. Yes, even as a Christian, you can have acceptance issues. With the way things are structured in this life, it is so easy to crave the acceptance of man, forgetting the most important acceptance ever, which is of God. Well then, that mind set didn’t last for long. As I continued to study the bible, I realised how important we are to God.  In Luke chapter 12:22-28, Jesus puts it this way: 22Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? 27“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? For want of clarity, let me explain this scripture in the simplest term. Jesus talked about God’s providence and care for ravens and lilies, which as humans we would care less. I mean, how many times have you looked out your window and called out to a random flying bird, “Have you had breakfast?” Or how many times have you driven by a street or road, come across flowers, and asked “have you taken a drink today?” That simply doesn’t happen! But it happens with God everyday. He takes care of them circumspectly, so much that the lilies are better dressed than King Solomon who could boast of so much glory. In verse 28 He concludes by saying the reason we ever feel deficient, afraid or less than nothing, is because we have no faith. It has always been a faith problem.  Now, let’s look at my favourite bible story, THE CITY GATE HEROES, as I entitle it. The story is found in 2nd Kings chapter 7, and I would be concentrating on verses 3-11. But I advise that you read chapters 6 and the entire chapter 7 to get a better picture of the events that unfolded.  There was a famine in the land, such that was so horrible people ate their children. Nobody knew what to do, including the government.  But there were four leprous men who sat at the city gate and were fed from there. It is noteworthy that these men were simply called lepers, even though they had names. It’s strange when people identify you by your circumstance. Bad enough, food was thrown at them, because they were unclean and not allowed to mix with  “normal” people.  But this was a season of famine, and there was no food for them, not even crumbs. These men came together and considered the best risk analysis I have ever known.  They talked amongst themselves saying, “Why should we sit here waiting to die?” they asked each other. 4“We will starve if we stay here, but with the famine in the city, we will starve if we go back there. So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway.”  Wow! Isn’t that amazing? They didn’t ask for a sign from God, as some of us would do. They thought it through, and took a step. What did they have to lose anyway? The story continues on how these men started on their journey to the Aramean camp, and how God honoured their faith. 5So at twilight they set out for the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! 6For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. “The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!” they cried to one another. 7So they panicked and ran into the night, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and everything else, as they fled for their lives. 8When the lepers arrived at the edge of the camp, they went into one tent after another, eating and drinking wine; and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and hid it. 9Finally, they said to each other, “This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let’s go back and tell the people at the palace.” How great is our God who can make one person seem like a battalion. With the horrible situation in the country, God was waiting for someone to make a move. And He found it in four lepers; the despicable, as the society saw them. This brings to me the knowledge that God waits too. The prophet Elisha had already predicted that in 24 hours, the prices of food would crash completely. But it is not enough for the prophecy to go forth. Someone has to make a move. Humans have their part in the fulfillment of prophecy, and God is no respecter of man, He honours our faith, without which no man can please him.  Sometimes I imagine how many of us have not made progress in life, because we blame someone or the system for our predicament. Those men were very sick men; so sick they decayed even while alive. If you do not understand the depravity that comes along with that sickness, then look it up on the internet and ask if you would ever sit one feet from them to eat. As a matter of fact, they were an eyesore, but not in the eyes of God. They had the courage to take an unprecedented step of faith, and God honoured them, because that is what He saw when He looked at them. He saw faithful men, not lepers. In my opinion, they should have been featured in the book of Hebrews 11 as heroes of faith. Notwithstanding, they still hold a pivotal role in the bible as great men of faith. I must not fail to mention how they went back to the city to share the good news of their plunder. Their conscience would not let them eat alone. That tells me something about their character. They were very forgiving and of a good conscience. Remember they were treated as outcasts, and were not even allowed into the city. They could have despised the people in the city who treated them as outcasts, and kept everything for themselves. Some of us would do that today. They had enough gold and silver that they could have used in building a kingdom for themselves, if they so wished. But they were men of noble character, who by the reason of their predicament were nicknamed the city gate lepers. Above all odds, these city gate lepers eventually became the first partakers of the best in the land.  I hear people say God controls everything. I doubt it strongly. If He did, then there would be no evil in the world, and if there was evil in the world. As is written, every good and perfect gift comes from the father of light...", James 1:17. The scripture says, “the heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth he has given to the children of men”, Psalm 115:16. In Luke 13:34 Jesus cried out “ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me”. Well that doesn’t sound like a God who is in “control”. No folks, the will of God is rarely done on earth. Remember Jesus taught us to pray that the will of God be done on earth as it is in heaven. And no, God is not in control because He is helpless. But He has simply yielded control to man, with the bible as His instruction for life on earth. You are and I have a choice. What choice have you made today? Have you chosen to live a life complaining about everyone but you? Do you believe that the system has set a limit for any reason whatsoever, and you have decided to tag along not reaching your desired goal? Or have you considered yourself as not being educated enough, black enough, white enough, pretty enough, talented enough? What is keeping you down? Remember, those four men were as a matter of fact, an eyesore, yet they got more than what they wanted. Nothing and no one is responsible for your failure or success but you. There is a God whose word has gone forth, and is waiting for a man to make a move. He is the God of all flesh and no respecter of persons.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then YOU will make YOUR way prosperous, and then you will have good success - Joshua 1:8

Nurse practitioners provide Americans with important services in healthcare. Unfortunately, NPs face many barriers restricting them from full practice authority. Also known as autonomous practice, full practice authority includes the practice and licensure laws allowing nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their education in a healthcare system with a growing primary care shortage. As the push for nurse practitioners to work autonomously continues, federal and state legislation is being passed to grand nurses full practice authority. The benefits from removing full practice barriers in nursing allows access to care to improve for the people who need it most. It allows efficient delivery of care, reduces costs and ensures patient satisfactions and quality of care. NPs are valuable assets to the healthcare industry in the United States. Giving full practice authority allows for nurses to use all their abilities to help those in need. To learn more, checkout the infographic below created by Duquesne University’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program.

Immediate recovery can take time for a senior who has sustained an injury/illness or undergone an operation. While you would love to see your senior get better and resume normal living after being discharged from the hospital, the fact is that complete recovery can be a lengthy process for your aging family member. Owing to increasing age and illness/injury, your elder will need assistance with performing their activities of daily living (ADLs). In such a scenario, the provision of in-home medical supplies for seniors can support your loved one and significantly improve their overall quality of life. Most of the tools suggested by your medical practitioner will include senior medical equipment that will support the mobility, the stability, the range of motion, and the overall health of your aging family member. The elderly care equipment you choose for your aging parent/relative will assist them until they recover and resume leading a normal life. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you provide them with the best medical equipment and supplies. Here are five tips to consider when arranging for the finest medical supplies for the elderly so that they are safe and comfortable at home.   Key Takeaways Start by clearly identifying your loved one’s specific medical needs to avoid unnecessary or ineffective equipment purchases. Renting medical equipment can be a smart financial decision if the need is temporary or if purchase costs are too high. Always evaluate your senior’s budget and explore assistance from nonprofit and healthcare organizations when costs are a concern. Before choosing any equipment, check that it fits your senior’s physical needs, living space, and long-term safety requirements. Review your medical insurance plan, such as Medicare Part B, to see which durable medical supplies may be fully or partially covered.   1. Be Clear on Your Requirements Investing in elderly care equipment is a crucial yet costly process; therefore, you must list down your specific needs. Evaluate your senior loved one’s health condition before you choose the equipment. For instance, if they need support with moving around but are unable to stand, you can consider investing in a wheelchair. If they have been advised to walk slowly, you may need a walker. The medical practitioner may also recommend an in-home ventilator if the aging senior is critical and needs life support. Thus, depending on the condition of your loved one, you may require these and other medical supplies like a hospital bed, shower chair, raised toilet seat, oxygen cylinder, intravenous apparatus, and disposable gloves. And don't forget your Bible and the many verses about healing that are worth meditating on during this difficult time.   2. Consider Procuring Medical Equipment on Rent   Take into account the length of time for which you will require the medical equipment. If the cost of purchasing the equipment is high and your senior requires it for a short time, it is wise to research the available rental options. Compare the cost of hiring and purchasing the supplies. Make sure you read the rental agreement properly. Check whether the agreement covers the maintenance/repair costs of the equipment, as they can increase your expenses. If you're worried that dependence on medicine conflicts with faith in God, rest assured that they can be one and the same. God created this world after all.    3. Keep Your Senior’s Budget in Mind If your senior family member is going to spend their savings on buying/renting medical supplies, see if their budget can provide for them. If they are unable to afford them, seek assistance from health care foundations, mission/charity organizations, veterans’ organizations, and other non-profit organizations. You can also look for a low monthly payment scheme that can help you and your elder manage finances in a better manner.   4. Check the Technical Aspects of the Equipment It is important to consider certain technical aspects like the type of support your senior will need, their body size/height, and the accessories preferred before procuring the medical equipment. For instance, if you want to choose the right type of walker/rollator for an obese elder, you must ensure that it supports their weight. In case you opt for a rollator walker, check the hand grips and brakes, and the height of the rollator to avoid accidents. Similarly, if you are investing in a wheelchair, make sure it is safe and comfortable for your loved one, as they will spend a considerable amount of time in it. A power wheelchair is apt for disabled seniors as it allows them to move around independently. If your senior lives in a smaller apartment/house, consider investing in a mid-wheel wheelchair that has a smaller turning radius. Whether you purchase or rent the medical equipment, you must inquire about the long-term maintenance and repair services. This is especially applicable to electronic medical equipment like electric wheelchairs and ventilators.   5. Check Your Medical Insurance Plan If medical supplies for seniors are necessary for bettering your aging family member’s health and are recommended by your health care provider, they are probably covered under Medicare Part B. Items like hospital beds, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs are reusable and classified as “durable medical equipment”. Medicare Part B covers preventive care, ambulance assistance, durable medical equipment, and a few other services. Check your insurance claim options before investing.   Conclusion Self-dependence is extremely crucial for your senior parent’s well-being and faster recovery. Choosing the right in-home medical supplies will not only ensure their safety and comfort, but also boost their will to get better. As the family caregiver, it is crucial that you empower your elderly loved one with the best medical supplies so that they can regain confidence and stay healthy and happy. Caring is a beautiful way to show your love for another, but it can also be challenging. Thankfully, there are plenty of Bible-based prayers that are perfect for caregivers during those difficult times. If you feel a call to help in other parts of the world, there are plenty of short-term mission opportunities that need people who are willing to care for the sick and suffering.   Related Questions   How do you get medical equipment for free? You can sometimes get free medical equipment through nonprofit organizations, local churches, and senior centers.   What products do seniors need most? Seniors most commonly need mobility aids, bathroom safety equipment, medication organizers, and comfort items like supportive cushions or adjustable beds.   Does Goodwill have walkers for seniors? Some Goodwill stores carry gently used medical equipment like walkers, but availability varies by location, so it’s best to call ahead.   What three foods should seniors stay away from? Seniors should limit processed meats, high-sodium foods, and sugary beverages, as these can increase the risk of heart disease and other health issues.  

The opioid crisis is top news and top of mind, and with this realization, many are seeking alternative pain care such as acupuncture. There are now over 700 addiction centers offering acupuncture as an alternative and/or adjudicative therapy. Many patients and their doctors must prepare for an alternative plan to pain management because of the risk of addiction.  The infographic below provides an overview of what the opioid epidemic means for the U.S., the deadly side effects of the opioid crisis problems with addiction,  and ways that acupuncture is being used as a form of treatment for many people seeking alternative medical help for their addictions.  Get access to the full academic resource created by the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine here: http://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2017/07/13/how-acupuncture-can-help-opioid-crisis-infographic  

Hormones are chemical molecules produced by glands of multi-cellular organisms that help carry messages to various organs in the body. They are extremely important for our body to function in a coordinated, controlled and timely manner. When there is a deficiency or excess of hormones, we experience the repercussions in myriad ways. Hormone imbalance can throw our body into a tizzy and effects include everything from moodiness, depression, body aches and weight gain to stunted growth, infertility, hair loss and poor immunity. Besides this the entire physiological and behavioral characteristics of a person is also affected. It is also notable that women experience hormonal issues at a greater rate than men. This could be because hormones play a major role in regulating menstrual cycle, preparing the body for pregnancy and parenting, and bringing about menopause. Since there are constant hormonal changes taking place in a woman’s body, she is also more vulnerable to their imbalance. Learn more about hormone imbalance and how it is profoundly affected by the lifestyle choices you make. 1. Wrong Diet Sets off Hormone Rollercoaster Our diets and eating habits have changed over the past several years. Over-dependence on refined oils and processed fats, too much of sugar and carbohydrates replacing fiber intake, lack of healthy fats in diet, and decrease in consumption of green veggies have all resulted in hormones being thrown into a tizzy. Saturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for hormone synthesis and cellular health. Coconut oil, avocado, oily fish, olive oil, grass fed red meat, pastured eggs and organic dairy products are excellent sources of these fats. Ensure you cut down on caffeine and alcohol consumption. The long-term effects include not only an altered biochemistry that causes profound harm to our neuroendocrineimmune system, but also psychological and behavioral disorders. Sustained and high caffeine intake recreates stress conditions in the body and increases cortisol production. It also increases the sensitivity of serotonin receptors which gives a temporary feeling of wellbeing. But they ultimately result in imbalance of hormones. Alcohol affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) and disturbs reproductive and sexual functions in the body. 2. Exercise Balances and Maintains Hormonal Wellbeing Exercise plays a key role in maintaining hormonal health and wellbeing. Moderate to vigorous exercise has numerous health benefits including lowering cortisol level, inducing EIGR (exercise-induced growth hormone response) and aiding in weight loss. Yoga is a form of light workout that helps lower adrenalin level and stimulates the release of calming brain chemical GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). A study by Boston University School of Medicine has concluded that yoga helps the autonomous nervous system and combats depression. The International Journal of Current Research says regular practice of yoga increases endogenous secretion of melatonin which in turn contributes to uplifting your mood and enhancing wellbeing. Excessive exercise can result in increased level of cortisol in the body which stimulates feelings of stress. So ensure that you do not exhaust yourself or inflict damage by tiring out muscles. Progesterone is essential to regulate menstrual cycle and alleviate the unpleasant PMS symptoms. Mild exercise and aerobic activity stimulates progesterone production in the ovaries. 3. Prioritize Your Sleep Sleep is essential to maintain a healthy mind and body. If you have had a poor night it will be easy to notice that you feel groggy and fuzzy-headed the next day, and find it hard to concentrate. Sleep deficiency also leads to obesity in teenagers and increases risk of excessive weight gain in other age groups as well. A research paper published in the American Journal of Human Biology shows a strong correlation between lack of adequate sleep and obesity in children and adolescents. Healthy sleeping habits are extremely important to regulate production of ghrelin and leptin. Leptin signals your body that it is satiated or full and ghrelin makes you feel hungry. When you are sleep-deprived, ghrelin level in your body shoots up whereas the leptin level goes down. As a result you find it difficult to feel full and are always hungry. This also leads to weight gain and a range of other health problems. Sufficient sleep is also essential to regulate blood sugar, promote growth in children and build immunity. 4. Take Special Care of Digestive Health Digestive or gut health is often overlooked when trying to achieve hormonal balance. But do you know that many neurotransmitters trace their source to the digestive tract? Serotonin that is necessary to regulate sleep and stress level is found in the highest concentration in our gut. Estrogen balance is affected when gut microbiome is not in an optimal condition. As estrogen fails to get excreted from the body the delicate estrogen/progesterone balance is adversely affected. Faulty gut also leads to higher chances of developing insulin resistance. So ensure that you speak top your doctor and take adequate probiotic supplements to enable your gut to function optimally. Garlic, tomato, kale, asparagus and yogurt are also excellent prebiotic foods that feed your good gut bacteria. Conclusion A healthy, balanced and optimal hormonal environment will help you achieve holistic wellbeing. This is because you have addressed the root cause of physical, behavioral and psychological health issues. So keep the above tips in mind and give the best care possible to your mind and body. (Image Source: Pixabay)