health and money problems -everywhere in the world

australia

Ex-Govt official says health system needs fixing
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/31/2077455.htm

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Finding Happiness After Major Life Crisis

People in the midst of divorce, job loss or a health crisis are often led to believe their lives will be richer, deeper, even happier for the experience -- but new research says it isn't necessarily so. A recent study challenges aspects of the classic "happiness set-point" theory which points to in-born personality factors as being the primary determinant of happiness. Under set-point theory even major changes in life circumstances do not have a long-term effect. However, says lead researcher Richard Lucas, PhD, a psychology assistant professor at Michigan State University, traumatic life events such as divorce, job loss or disability from, say, major illness matter deeply and may shift your happiness set-point permanently south. Dr. Lucas shared what he learned about happiness and offered advice on what you can do to stay positive in the face of difficulties.

IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT...

According to the happiness set-point theory, challenges and crises can temporarily move people away from their set point, but their basic outlook and coping skills will eventually settle back at their original level. While Dr. Lucas agrees that personality traits play a strong role in happiness, his research shows that long-term levels of happiness can and often do change after experiencing a major life event -- not necessarily returning to where they were before.
To take a closer look at the nature of happiness, Dr. Lucas examined two large-scale studies in Great Britain (more than 27,000 participants) and Germany (nearly 40,000 participants). Participants in Germany were followed for up to 21 years, and participants in Great Britain for up to 14 years. Using self-reporting scales, researchers measured their levels of satisfaction before and after major events such as marriage, divorce, job loss, widowhood and disability. People seemed to adapt fairly quickly to marriage and even widowhood, though that took longer. However, their emotional state was more often permanently altered by divorce, unemployment or the onset of a long-term disability, according to Dr. Lucas.
Specifically, researchers found that...

• Most people adapt to marriage within a few years. However (no surprise here) there is a great deal of variability, with some getting a long-term boost and others a long-term decline, depending on how good the marriage is.


• On average, people take about seven years to adjust to the loss of a spouse.


• Following divorce, unemployment or physical debilitation from a major illness or injury, people generally do not return to their prior level of happiness.

FACING REALITY IS WHAT HELPS

While Dr. Lucas's research may sound defeatist, it is helpful to consider it a learning tool rather than a reason to give up. For those who have experienced a traumatic event, Dr. Lucas says it's a good idea to set "challenging but realistic goals" to bolster your sense of accomplishment and esteem. Also helpful is having -- and seeking -- good social relationships, as studies have shown the physical and emotional health benefits of a strong support group.
In the long run, though, what may help most of all is taking the pressure off yourself for not feeling entirely happy with your new situation, realizing that such events are very traumatic and they do, in fact, change your world. Understanding that the success and happiness you find may look and feel very different than what you've experienced in the past is one key to finding your "new" way to feeling good.
Also remember that challenges present an opportunity for growth and personal development -- but avoiding the subsequent soul searching and not questioning personal assumptions can and usually will leave you worse off. If you are able to become more honest with yourself and others, and allow yourself to benefit from the awakening that challenge may bring, then adversity may indeed present an unexpected blessing and evidence of grace -- and these are certainly seeds from which happiness can grow.

Source(s):

Richard Lucas, PhD, assistant professor of psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

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Skill shortage?

Nursing shortage getting critical; BGH holds job fair to attract new recruits
Posted By Susan Gamble

As Ontarians get older and need more health care, the pool of registered nurses keeps shrinking.
Most hospitals, long-term care facilities and clinics are short of nurses - a situation that puts a strain on those who are left, who are working harder and longer than before.
According to the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, the province is short about 14,000 RNs, and the ratio of RNs to the population is the worst in the country. Nurses are lost as they leave the province, move into other lines of work, retire early and - in a profession dominated by women - take time to give birth and raise families.

Trying to lure and keep good solid employees is an ongoing goal for any facility with nurses, as Lisa Keefe, the recruitment and retention specialist at Brantford General Hospital will tell you.
"If we're not in crisis now, we're fast approaching it," said Keefe Saturday at a special job fair held to attract nurses. "The coming crisis is going to have to be at the top of our priorities."

On any given month, the hospital is short an average of 40 nursing positions.
Keefe said local nurses who may have stopped working to have families and haven't yet returned know that if they want back in the workforce, the opportunities are immense.

About 50 nurses turned out to the recruitment fair - a number that delighted those who toured them around the facility, took resumes and did on-the-spot job interviews.
"The response has been fantastic and we're very happy," Keefe said. "This is a large community hospital with a variety of programs for nurses with a specific interest, so we think it's a great place to work. There's a welcoming environment, competitive pay and benefits and a lower turnover rate than many places."
The hospital boasts a high number of long-service employees, she noted, indicating employees are pretty content with their positions. One of the biggest challenges is replacing nurses for a year when they take a maternity leave.

The health-care system has plenty of part-time and temporary positions to offer.
"We can offer nurses full-time jobs if they want. We do have positions although we have to offer them internally first."

Skill shortage?

Nursing shortage getting critical; BGH holds job fair to attract new recruits
Posted By Susan Gamble
Posted 11 hours ago
As Ontarians get older and need more health care, the pool of registered nurses keeps shrinking.

Most hospitals, long-term care facilities and clinics are short of nurses - a situation that puts a strain on those who are left, who are working harder and longer than before.

According to the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, the province is short about 14,000 RNs, and the ratio of RNs to the population is the worst in the country. Nurses are lost as they leave the province, move into other lines of work, retire early and - in a profession dominated by women - take time to give birth and raise families.

Trying to lure and keep good solid employees is an ongoing goal for any facility with nurses, as Lisa Keefe, the recruitment and retention specialist at Brantford General Hospital will tell you.

"If we're not in crisis now, we're fast approaching it," said Keefe Saturday at a special job fair held to attract nurses. "The coming crisis is going to have to be at the top of our priorities."

On any given month, the hospital is short an average of 40 nursing positions.

Keefe said local nurses who may have stopped working to have families and haven't yet returned know that if they want back in the workforce, the opportunities are immense.

About 50 nurses turned out to the recruitment fair - a number that delighted those who toured them around the facility, took resumes and did on-the-spot job interviews.

"The response has been fantastic and we're very happy," Keefe said. "This is a large community hospital with a variety of programs for nurses with a specific interest, so we think it's a great place to work. There's a welcoming environment, competitive pay and benefits and a lower turnover rate than many places."

The hospital boasts a high number of long-service employees, she noted, indicating employees are pretty content with their positions. One of the biggest challenges is replacing nurses for a year when they take a maternity leave. The health-care system has plenty of part-time and temporary positions to offer. "We can offer nurses full-time jobs if they want. We do have positions although we have to offer them internally first."

RSV - Signs, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Medbroadcast

RSV - Signs, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Medbroadcast

Personal care, restaurant industries have highest rates of depression
Oct. 13, 2007
Provided by: Canadian PressWritten by: Kevin Freking, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON - People who tend to the elderly, change diapers and serve up food and drinks have the highest rates of depression among U.S. workers.
Overall, seven per cent of full-time workers battled depression in the past year, according to a government report available Saturday.
Women were more likely than men to have had a major bout of depression, and younger workers had higher rates of depression than their older colleagues.
Almost 11 per cent of personal care workers - which includes child care and helping the elderly and severely disabled with their daily needs - reported depression lasting two weeks or longer.
During such episodes there is loss of interest and pleasure, and at least four other symptoms surface, including problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration and self-image.
Workers who prepare and serve food - cooks, bartenders, waiters and waitresses - had the second highest rate of depression among full-time employees at 10.3 per cent.
In a tie for third were health care workers and social workers at 9.6 per cent.
The lowest rate of depression, 4.3 per cent, occurred in the job category that covers engineers, architects and surveyors.

DRUG warning

This Common MISDIAGNOSISCan Land You In A Nursing Home!
Here's how to protect yourself and your loved ones
By Dr. Mark Stengler

It's absolutely heartbreaking. All over America, nursing homes are filled with frail, feeble residents suffering from dementia. In many cases, these folks are so far gone they don't even recognize their own children.

But I'm going to let you in on a dark, dirty secret: Many of these patients do not have dementia at all. Their memory loss, confusion, and delirium are caused by prescription drugs!
And so are many of their other problems.
This is not just speculation on my part. It's fully documented in the medical journals. In fact, it's so common that there are even medical terms for it. Like "polypharmacy," which means giving a patient too many different drugs. And "iatrogenic illness," which means any illness caused by doctors.
According to the medical journals, polypharmacy and iatrogenic illness are rampant in this country.
One study concluded that one of the major causes of falls in nursing homes is the side effects caused by medications.
Another study found that 97% of nursing home patients take at least one drug, with 17% taking 5 or more!
Yet another study found that many drugs can cause Parkinson's-like symptoms and concluded that "drug-induced parkinsonism is frequent."
And still another study listed 22 different categories of drugs that can cause symptoms that mimic Alzheimer's... plus 14 different over-the-counter drugs that can cause those symptoms!
Here's a typical scenario. A healthy person goes to the doctor for a checkup and is told his cholesterol or blood pressure is high. So he starts taking medication, which causes side effects. This leads his doctor to give him a second drug to treat those side effects. But, of course, that second drug causes new side effects. So the doctor prescribes a third drug to treat the side effects of the second one!
Before you know it, the person's health is spiraling downward and he soon needs people to take care of him. And everyone just chalks it up to "old age."

Except for the insurance companies. They know better. Recently, I spoke to a 72-year-old woman who was turned down by THREE different long-term care companies, even though she passed her physical with flying colors. The reason given? She was on too many prescription drugs.
Yes, the insurance companies know that if this woman continues to take her meds, it's only a matter of time before her health deteriorates. And they don't want to be the ones footing the bill when that happens.

But you can fight back against this system of medicine run amok. First of all, make sure you always try natural remedies first. Pharmaceuticals should be a last resort, not a first option. Secondly, if you have a loved one in a nursing home, talk to a naturally minded physician about possibly weaning them off the drugs. This single step may make a huge difference in their health and well-being.