Q-jumpers-The Health Myth Busters

Fountain of youth science

2011-11-09T20:41:00.001-05:00

Removing 'zombie' cells could slow aging
ROCHESTER, Minn. (UPI) -- Purging the body of senescent cells, old"zombie" cells that are no longer functioning properly, may slow downthe human aging process, U.S. researchers say.
Cells in the body don't keep dividing forever but reach a state knownas cellular senescence in which they no longer divide but releasesubstances that damage adjacent cells, scientists at the Mayo Clinicsaid.
The immune system normally disposes of the zombie cells but with aginggradually loses its ability to do so, they said.
"By attacking these cells and what they produce, one day we may beable to break the link between aging mechanisms and predisposition todiseases like heart disease, stroke, cancers and dementia," Dr. JamesKirkland, a co-author of the study, said in a statement.
Researchers say eliminating senescent cells could delay the onset ofcataracts, the gradual loss of muscle tissue and other aging-relatedproblems, CBS News reported Thursday.
"Therapeutic interventions to get rid of senescent cells or blocktheir effects may represent an avenue to make us feel more vital,healthier, and allow us to stay independent for a much longer time,"Dr. Jan van Deursen, a study co-author, said in the statement.
The research suggests it may be possible to develop drugs that wouldkill senescent cells in humans or improve an aging immune system'sability to dispose of them, the researchers

2011-11-09T11:10:00.002-05:00

DNR disturbing trend -keep your eyes open

Seniors given secret 'do not resuscitate' orders

Old and in the way? Not for long if you're unlucky enough to land in a British hospital, where seniors are routinely left to die under secret "do not resuscitate" orders.

Those orders are among the most difficult, painful, and intimate decisions you and your family could ever make -- but it's being stolen from you by doctors, nurses, and even office clerks who think they can play God.

Now, it doesn't matter what YOU want: If THEY think you're too sick -- or, more likely, too expensive -- to get even the smallest life-saving measures, you're put on the DNR list… and no one will even bother to tell you or your family that your days are numbered.

There's no other way to put it, folks -- that's a secret death order, and they're being issued in hospitals across the U.K.

In one major facility, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, investigators found no evidence that ANY of the DNR orders on file were issued with the knowledge and consent of the patients or their families.

At another hospital, a patient was left to die because a clerk had slipped a BLANK do-not-resuscitate form into his file. It hadn't been signed by anyone -- not the patient, not his family and not his doctors.

As a one-time mistake, that alone ranks as "unforgivable."

But this one is much worse than that -- because it wasn't a one-time mistake. Maybe it wasn't even a mistake at all -- because investigators found that clerks at this hospital routinely put blank DNR orders into patients' files.

Life-or-death decisions, made by filing clerks -- this is straight out of Kafka.

Action on Elder Abuse, a British charity, has taken to calling these secret DNR orders "euthanasia by the backdoor," but it's so systematic that I don't think there's anything "backdoor" about it. It sounds more like "euthanasia by committee" to me -- and you don't get a seat on that committee.

The phrase "death panel" comes to mind as well, except there's not even a "panel" anymore -- just a clerk with a Xerox machine.

And if you think this can only happen in the U.K., think again -- because the authors of ObamaCare believe Britain's fatally flawed model of socialized medicine is something we should aspire to.

2011-11-07T13:18:00.001-05:00

Walk Your Way out of the Hospital

Being a hospital patient used to mean getting into a bed and basically staying there until the doctor said that you could go home. But in recent years, this approach has been changing dramatically as medical staffers have recognized that patients heal faster when they get out of bed and walk -- and new research is showing that the more you walk, and the sooner you walk, the better. If you have elderly relatives, however, you have probably discovered that the outdated idea of the "benefit of bed rest" has tremendous staying power. Convincing them otherwise can be more than challenging. Now, though, there is a new study that you can use to help them see the light. It clearly demonstrates that, condition permitting, elderly patients who are willing to get up and walk around outside their hospital rooms (especially those who start on day one) shorten the length of time that they must stay in the hospital -- which is another way of saying that active patients get better quicker.

BENEFITS OF GETTING ON YOUR FEET

Researchers from the department of nursing at Haifa University in Israel surveyed 485 patients, age 70 and older, who were hospitalized for at least two days (on average, about six). When I contacted study coauthor Efrat Shadmi, RN, PhD, she told me that these patients were in the hospital for common acute conditions, including pneumonia and exacerbations of chronic illnesses such as heart disease. Dr. Shadmi added that none of the patients’ conditions meant that they couldn’t or shouldn’t be somewhat active. In fact, the study eliminated any patients who had been hospitalized for a debilitating condition, such as stroke, that would significantly affect their ability to move around. The findings were published in the July 25, 2011, Archives of Internal Medicine.

While previous studies have found value when younger hospital patients got out of bed and walked, this one had equally good news for older patients. Study participants who walked around at least once a day outside their hospital rooms shortened their stays by 1.5 days, on average, compared with a group of patients who either refused (or were not encouraged) to walk around outside their hospital rooms. So the most active patients were released from the hospital the earliest.

Another interesting result: Those who started walking sooner also left the hospital faster. Patients who increased their walking by at least 600 steps from the first day to the second day of their stays were able to be discharged 1.7 days earlier than those who didn’t.

WELL WORTH THE EFFORT

Doctors stress that walking is important for hospital patients because it helps them maintain normal breathing function and promotes the flow of oxygen throughout the body. It also helps support normal gastrointestinal, bowel and urinary function. Dr. Shadmi adds that geriatric patients, in particular, have yet another reason to get moving -- muscle reserves decrease rapidly. If an older patient lingers in bed for even a few days without walking around, he/she can lose muscle mass so fast that his everyday functioning can become impaired.

It was encouraging to learn from Dr. Shadmi that when hospital staffers and family members explained to patients participating in the study how important walking was -- both for faster healing and maintaining strength -- the majority of patients were willing to give it a try, even if the extra effort made them extra tired. So if someone you love is in the hospital, go ahead and nudge him to walk around a little. Sure, he might groan at first, but he’ll thank you later -- when he’s at home.

Source(s):

Efrat Shadmi, RN, PhD, The Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, faculty of social welfare and health sciences, Haifa University, Israel.

explotation of the weak -not acceptable

2011-10-28T09:02:00.001-04:00

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Daily Dose - Squeezing cash out of dementia patients

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WC Douglass, M.D. TheDouglassReport@newmarkethealth.com to holcrest

show details 8:10 AM (50 minutes ago)

Daily Dose with William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

OTC Cancer Cure Cover-up?!

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How to help RECHARGE your brain -- in 3 seconds a day.

When that name is on the tip of your tongue. When you spend fifteen minutes looking for misplaced glasses. When you're worried your memory is slipping away -- there's something easy you can do!

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Give this secret just 3 seconds a day and discover how a healthy brain will transform your day.

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How nursing homes exploit their sickest residents

Dementia patients are being used as pawns in a highly profitable game of musical beds -- helping nursing homes to triple their revenues in a scam that you're just not going to believe.

Here's how it works: A dementia patient on his own, laying in a bed in a nursing home, will bring in $175 a day in Medicare payments.

That may sound like plenty -- $1225 for a single week -- but it's not the kind of money that earns big bonuses for nursing home executives at the end of the year, even in a joint with hundreds of these patients.

So they devise a reason to send the patient off to the hospital -- because when he gets back to the nursing home after that little trip, his value skyrockets.

Now, at least on paper, he needs "skilled care" in that nursing home -- so Medicare will pay TRIPLE the fees... even if it turns out that "skilled care" is exactly what the patient would have received if he had never left the nursing home in the first place.

It sounds like something the Enron boys would have schemed up, and the similarities don't end there. It's Medicare, after all, and that means you're the one ultimately footing the bill.

You'll find all the details of this massive hoodwink in the latest New England Journal of Medicine, which finds that 19 percent of advanced dementia patients in nursing homes are sent off for dubious hospitalizations near the end of their lives -- with some being moved back and forth multiple times in the space of just a few months.

These patients are sent to the hospital for conditions that are routinely and easily treated by nursing homes all the time: pneumonia, infections, swallowing problems, and dehydration, just to name a few.

They should be getting that care from the relative comfort of a familiar face in a familiar place.

Instead, they're being exploited in the name of cold, hard cash.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Do not get vacinated - assess the risk

2011-10-26T09:38:00.001-04:00

The growing army of the unvaccinated

It's become a legal and politically correct form of discrimination: Unvaccinated kids are being booted from schools, summer camps, and even doctor's offices.

They're trying to make you feel like some kind of fringe weirdo for refusing to pump your kid full of live viruses, mercury, formaldehyde, chicken eggs, DNA from aborted fetuses, and all the other junk used in those shots.

But you're not a weirdo -- and you're not even fringe: New numbers show that a full 10 percent of American families now refuse or delay common childhood vaccinations.

And that's just the beginning -- because the survey in Pediatrics finds that even parents who toe the party line are having big-time doubts over this whole vaccination thing.

Twenty-five percent of those who get every vaccination say they believe it would be safer to delay some of them -- and nearly 30 percent say they don't think there's any harm in skipping the least necessary shots.

I agree -- as long as by "least necessary" you mean ALL of them!

Here are the facts: Vaccinations haven't protected or "saved" children. They've actually compromised the powerful natural immunity of the human body, making people weaker and sicker in the long run.

The perfect example is chickenpox. Kids used to get it all the time in early childhood, when all it meant was a few days of itching and scratching -- and then they were done with it.

You probably remember that yourself.

Today, the chickenpox vaccine has practically eliminated it in those early years -- but vaccinated kids and adults alike are now getting it later in life instead, when it can be dangerous and even deadly.

That's just one shot -- the rest are no better, and many are far worse.

The Institute of Medicine recently admitted that common vaccines can cause seizures, brain inflammation, infection, body encephalitis, pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis and more -- and this was in a statement in DEFENSE of vaccinations!

If anyone treats you like a fringe weirdo for opposing vaccinations, just show them that. That should shut 'em up.

Proudly on the fringe,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Help wanted interpretations -smile and true

2011-10-18T11:48:00.001-04:00

Translations of Help Wanted Ads

Energetic self-starter: You'll be working on commission.

Entry level position: We will pay you the lowest wages allowed by law.

Experience required: We do not know the first thing about any of this.

Fast learner: You will get no training from us.

Flexible work hours: You will frequently work long overtime hours.

Good organizational skills: You'll be handling the filing.

Make an investment in you future: This is a franchise or a pyramidscheme.

Management training position: You'll be a salesperson with a wideterritory.

Much client contact: You handle the phone or make "cold calls" onclients.

Must have reliable transportation: You will be required to break speedlimits.

Must be able to lift 50 pounds: We offer no health insurance orchiropractors.

Opportunity of a lifetime: You will not find a lower salary for somuch work.

Planning and coordination: You book the bosses travel arrangements.

Quick problem solver: You will work on projects months behind schedulealready.

Strong communication skills: You will write tons of documentation andletters.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

As predicted -the next round of what is good for you individual sin tax - welcome to the special police state

2011-10-05T09:08:00.001-04:00

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to eat

One of the last freedoms you have left is the freedom to choose what's on your dinner plate tonight -- but get ready to stick a fork in that one.

The Food Police have taken over in Denmark -- and we could be next.

This week, Denmark is taking the Nanny State to the next level with an onerous new tax on the fresh and natural foods your body needs. Under this so-called "fat tax," anyone who wants foods with saturated fats will have to pay through the teeth for the privilege.

Farm-fresh butter? TAXED!

Cheese? TAXED!

Meat? TAXED!

Pretty soon, shoppers will be forced to load up on lower-priced substitutes made of factory-processed soy byproducts and a lab full of dangerous chemicals--all in the name of good health, of course.

This sin tax is meant to help slash the risk of an early death. Puh-lease. Studies have shown time and again that people who eat healthful natural animal fats and skip the sugars and other refined carbohydrates have a much LOWER risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even early death.

If that's what passes for sin, then being bad never felt so good.

Denmark isn't the only one leveling the sin tax. Hungary has imposed a tax on foods with high levels of sugar, salt, carbs, and caffeine. Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria have banned trans fats. And Finland, Romania, and Britain are all considering fat taxes as well.

But I think everyone is missing the point here. Forget for a minute that the government has picked the wrong bad guy (sugar and carbs would have been a much more appropriate target), the bottom line is that no government has any right to legislate your food choices. Period.

Hold on to your rights, America, or you'll be next. If Uncle Sam is going to be footing the bill for your healthcare, He certainly thinks he has the right to determine how you eat (and sleep and drink and exercise and you-name-it).

Consider this your wake-up call. And go eat some butter--before it's too late.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

telephone imagery

2011-10-05T08:33:00.001-04:00

http://earthsky.org/human-world/iphone-morphs-into-medical-imaging-device    interesting

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

medical jumps

2011-10-05T08:29:00.001-04:00

Cellphone becomes medical image device

DAVIS, Calif. (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say they've transformed aniPhone into a high-quality medical imaging device that could transformmedicine in developing countries.

Using only inexpensive materials, researchers at the University ofCalifornia, Davis, have modified smartphones to perform detailedmicroscopy, a release from the Optical Society of America said Monday.

Kaiqin Chu, a postdoctoral researcher in optics, inserted a $40 balllens -- a finely ground glass sphere that acts as a low-poweredmagnifying glass -- into a hole in a rubber sheet, and then simplytaped the sheet over the smartphone's camera.

Paired with the phone's camera, the ball lens can resolve features onthe order of 1.5 microns, small enough to identify different types ofblood cells, researchers said.

The enhanced phones could help doctors and nurses diagnose blooddiseases in developing nations where many hospitals and rural clinicshave limited or no access to laboratory equipment -- and can send thereal-time data to colleagues around the globe for further analysis anddiagnosis -- the researchers said.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

diabetes food for thought

2011-10-02T18:16:00.001-04:00

The four great diabetes myths

The headline in Time magazine certainly caught my eye: "5 Ways to Avoid Diabetes -- Without Medications."

Some 80 million Americans are teetering on the brink of diabetes, ready to join the 20 million who already have the disease -- so if someone has a drug-free plan to help avoid this train wreck, I'm all ears.

Turns out I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up -- because the headline refers to a new study filled with the same tired advice that helped CAUSE the diabetes epidemic in the first place.

Of those "Five Ways," only one is on target: avoid obesity. But if you follow the other Four Ways, you're practically guaranteed to find yourself fat and facing disease -- not to mention a lifetime supply of medication.

So instead of the rest of the "Five Ways," I bring you the Four Great Myths perpetuated by the new study in The Annals of Internal Medicine:

Myth # 1: Eat a low-fat, high fiber diet. Millions of Americans already try to follow a low-fat, high-fiber diet. You know what we call them? Diabetics.

Myth # 2: Exercise. I'm all for healthy movements throughout the day -- but the research here is crystal clear. A furious exercise session at the end of the day won't lower your risk of chronic illness or an early death -- and it won't even help you to lose weight. Period.

Myth # 3: Quit smoking. A study last year, also in The Annals of Internal Medicine, found that smokers who quit have a 73 percent HIGHER risk of coming down with diabetes. Enough said.

Myth #4: Drink little to no booze. Teetotalers have a higher risk of diabetes than moderate boozers, and studies have reached that same conclusion over and over again. So drink up -- to your health!

Let me cut to the chase now, because you don't need five steps to avoid diabetes without medications -- these two will do just fine:

1) Skip sugar and most of the other carbs.
2) Eat plenty of fresh animal protein and fats.

That's it. And yes, it really is that easy. Doubt me? Try it! I dare you to prove me wrong.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

why does it cost so much?

2011-09-16T12:26:00.001-04:00

Your 10 minute office visit needs 8 people and 45 minutes of work

I sat at the checkout desk in my practice last week for the first time and as always, it was a revelation. If you haven't worked your check-in and check-out desks recently, I highly recommend it.

An insured patient that I checked out was shocked when I said the charge for her visit was $100. She said, "But he was only in the room for ten minutes!" I was briefly at a loss for words. I recovered, we agreed on a payment plan, I made a note on her encounter form for the billing office and she left.

I've been thinking about our conversation, and thinking about what that $100 is supposed to cover…

First, we scheduled the appointment, which was a work-in, so it took several people to take the message, pull the medical record (paper charts), call the patient to assess the problem, determine the need for the appointment and schedule it.
When the patient arrived, we checked to make sure her address and phone were the same, quickly checked her eligibility to make sure the insurance on file was still in force, and asked for a photo ID for red flags. An encounter form was generated at the nurse's station to notify her of the patient's arrival.
The nurse called her from the reception area, weighed her, and took her into an exam room to take her vitals, take a brief chief complaint, review the medications she is taking and check to see if she needed any chronic medication refills while she was there.
The physician came in to see her, asked about any changes since she'd last been seen, reviewed her history of present illness and examined her. He talked to her about her illness and described a treatment plan for her upper respiratory infection given her chronic health problems.
He prescribed a medication for her problem, updated her medication list and made a copy for her to take with her.
He marked the encounter form with the level of service and her diagnoses and gave her the form to take to the check-out desk.
He refiled the medication reconciliation in the chart, finished documenting the visit, and placed the chart in the bin to be refiled. The chart was filed, and the encounter form was sent to the billing office.
At the billing office the charges and any payment was posted and the claim was filed. If there was no problem with the claim, it electronically passed through two scrubs and a final one at the payer.
If payment was not denied for any of a dozen reasons, the payment would arrive at the billing office and would be posted.
Since the patient did not pay at the check-out desk, the patient-responsible balance is billed to the patient. If the patient pays on the first statement, it has taken 45 to 60 days to receive complete payment. Since the patient has BCBS, there is a negotiated rate, so the payment will not even total $100.

I know that patients often say "But he only spent 10 minutes with me." Checking back with the provider, I find it was typically longer. Patients tend to underestimate the time as it goes very fast.

The total visit encompassed the work of the phone operator, the medical records clerk, the triage nurse, the check-in person, the nurse, the doctor, the check-out person and the biller. It took 8 people, and at least 45 minutes of work to make that appointment happen. Plus, that visit had to help pay the expenses for the rent, the utilities, malpractice insurance, medical supplies, computers, phones and janitorial services.

The practice, the patients and the overseers of healthcare want each visit to be non-rationed, safe, high-quality, error-free, holistic, pleasant, clean, accurate, efficient and reimbursable. It's what we all want. And it ain't cheap.

Mary Pat Whaley is board certified in healthcare management and a fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives. She blogs at Manage My Practice.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Why and how therapy works (Sunridge)

2011-09-15T09:02:00.001-04:00

Who benefits most from psychological therapy?

There is a saying in psychiatry, "even bad therapy is good therapy."

I always thought this was a terrible thing to say, but really, there's some truth to it. The basic tenet of therapy is that a person is able to vent their feelings with an objective third party. Depending on how good the therapist is, he or she will be able to help that person process their feelings in a productive manner. Bad therapists talk about themselves too much, give too much advice, and don't acknowledge their own biases.

Good therapists are the opposite of this. And of course, there are many types of therapy, including supportive, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic. Without getting too technical, supportive is the most basic type, and is exactly what it sounds like. Cognitive behavioral helps a person change how they think, which in turn helps moderate feelings and behaviors better. Psychodynamic is the most intensive type of therapy, and focuses on relationships. This is the type of therapy where you end up talking about your childhood and your mother a lot.

The best candidates for therapy are people with stable lives (i.e. supportive and intact family and livelihood), a sense of introspection and curiosity about themselves, and the time and money to attend regularly. In essence, this is what is termed the "worried well." An example is a PhD candidate who has writer's block for their thesis. Or a couple struggling with communication issues. Of course, sadly, people with much greater difficulties and problems probably could use therapy even more, but access, finances, and life stress get in the way. Therapists also veer away from therapy with people who have more problems, because even the best therapy doesn't help when someone needs to figure out how to put food on the table and get the rent paid.

If you feel therapy might be of benefit to you, and you have the resources to go to therapy, then go. Even if you don't have a specific psychiatric diagnosis, learning about yourself in a structured manner only makes you a better and stronger person. Of course, it's certainly not for everyone — therapy is one of those things that only works for you if you approach it with an open mind.

Christina Girgis is a psychiatrist who blogs at getaheadwithdrg.

Submit a guest post and be heard on social media's leading physician voice.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Smile

2011-09-12T10:22:00.001-04:00

Classic Quotes by H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) US writer

A bore is simply a nonentity who resents his humble lot in life, andseeks satisfaction for his wounded ego by forcing himself on hisbetters.

------------------------

A church is a place in which gentlemen who have never been to heavenbrag about it to persons who will never get there.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

More seniors bs

2011-08-31T22:04:00.001-04:00

Shrinks try to nix booze for seniors

I'm sick and tired of the mainstream treating seniors like children.

The latest example: A patronizing new report that claims you shouldn't have more than a sip or two of booze per night once you reach a certain age.

Ridiculous!

Researchers from Britain's Royal College of Psychiatrists are urging their government to tell seniors they shouldn't have more than 1.5 units of alcohol a day. That's only half a bottle of beer!

What are you supposed to do with the other half? Dump it, I suppose. But I say keep the beer... and dump this daffy report instead!

The logic here, if you can call it that, is astonishing: The researchers claim that some seniors might turn into heavy boozers, while others might use or abuse meds that don't mix well with alcohol.

So because some unknown (and no doubt relatively small) number of seniors might abuse drugs and alcohol, ALL seniors should be limited to sippy cups for the rest of their lives.

The only thing more nonsensical than this report is the idea that shrinks should be issuing drinking guidelines.

Who asked them anyway?

The Royal College of Quacks also moaned that some seniors might turn to booze after a spouse dies -- but that's not a problem in my book. As long as they keep it moderate, they're not hurting anyone.

And they're certainly not hurting themselves.

In addition to the proven health benefits of moderate drinking -- from protecting the heart to slashing dementia risk -- heading out to the local pub and hoisting a couple with friends is a great way for a senior who has no one at home to get out, stay active, and socialize.

That could SAVE his life, not end it -- and anyone who wants to take that away is the one with the real drinking problem.

Knocking one back,

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

ten useful rules of hospital visite

2011-08-29T07:47:00.001-04:00

Whether you are going to the hospital for an outpatient procedure or whether you will be admitted to the hospital for medical illness or surgical procedure, there are certain things you must know and certain things you must do in order to ensure that your reasonable expectations will be met.

You must become informed about the terms and limits of your health insurance policy. See if the fees you are being charged can be negotiated ahead of time. If you do not know the terms and limits of your policy, you will not know the financial field upon which you are playing, and the end result may be significantly displeasing to you.
Do not be afraid to ask questions of your doctor. By accepting you as a patient he or she has made a contract with you to provide you with the best possible care. This means that the doctor must make time to answer your questions. On the other hand, you must realize that doctors do not have much time in today's medical environment owing to the system under which they currently work. Therefore, prepare a list of questions for the doctor each day, and set a time during the course of the day that you and the doctor can meet so that these questions can be answered. If possible, e-mail the questions to your doctor before hand.
As communication with the doctor is critical, it is important to understand that his office staff is the gateway to the physician. Take time to get to know the office staff before the hospital admission. It wouldn't hurt to send the office staff some flowers or a note on the day your loved one is admitted to hospital thanking them for their efforts on your behalf in the preadmission process. As my grandmother said, if you want a kiss, you have to give the kiss.
While your physician is your best advocate during the hospital admission, in reality you are your own best advocate. If there are issues regarding the room or the floor on which you are staying, difficulty with the nursing or with the timing of medication, or with any concerns that you may have, your first step is to discuss these concerns with the attending nurse. Be firm, but polite. If your needs are not met, then your next step is to discuss the situation with the Charge Nurse. If your needs are still not attended to, you must communicate your concerns to the doctor. If the issues are still unresolved, then you should seek the offices of the hospital administrator or the hospital ombudsman, state the issues and demand to be seen. It is highly unlikely that you will have to get beyond the second step in this process. Most professionals want to meet your needs.
Do not feel that any of the staff or your physician will treat you in any less a manner if you raise the aforementioned issues. It is the job of the nursing staff and your physician to attend to the patient, and any lack of attention to you in the context of proper medical treatment for you or your loved one is a serious breach of professional protocol of which no physician or nurse wishes to be accused.
Make sure that you see the hospital social services worker or hospital Discharge Planner assigned to your case at least 48 hours before your discharge so that arrangements can be made for any equipment or durable medical goods that your loved one may require while at home.
It is also necessary to understand the medications that you or your loved one will be taking upon discharge from hospital, and how they are to be taken, with what frequency and what dosage. If possible, arrange to have the prescriptions written by the doctor or the P.A. a day before the discharge, so that you may arrange to have your pharmacy fill them and they can be picked up before returning home.
Make sure that you speak with your doctor prior to the discharge and that you go through the discharge instructions with the physician or his representative so that you understand each of them. If there are dressings to be changed, make sure that if you are the one to change those dressings, you completely understand the process to follow and have the necessary goods to perform the task (gloves, dressings, ointments, disinfectants, etc.)
At the time of your discharge, you should request your hospital records for the visit. You are entitled to these records and it is important that you have at least a summary of the visit, an operative note if applicable, any imaging reports, laboratory studies and a discharge summary. These records should be kept in a place that is accessible should it be necessary to refer to them in the future. Having the records may very well save redundant and unnecessary treatment going forward.
Make sure you understand the final hospital bill in the context of the limits of your insurance policy. If you have any doubt about the amount that you owe then you should make an appointment with a hospital representative and have them go through your bill item by item so that you understand everything. If you have any question as to whether a charge or drug or item was actually utilized or supplied, you can refer to the hospital records that you have received at the time of discharge.

Mitchell Brooks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon and the host of Health of the Nation on Talk Radio 570 KLIF in Dallas, Texas. He blogs at Health of the Nation.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Warning given on overuse of antibiotics

2011-08-28T12:07:00.001-04:00

Warning given on overuse of antibiotics

NEW YORK (UPI) -- Overuse of antibiotics to eradicate dangerousbacteria presents the possibility of permanently killing offbeneficial bacteria as well, a U.S. researcher says.

Martin Blaser, chair of the department of medicine at New YorkUniversity's Langone Medical Center, warns the widespread use ofantibiotics may be having unintended consequences, causing permanentchanges to the body's protective, "friendly" bacteria and harm to thebody's natural defense system.

A child in the United States or other developed countries has had anaverage of 10 to 20 doses of antibiotics by age 18, an NYU releasesaid Wednesday.

Antibiotics have helped improve health and increase life expectancy,but are non-discriminatory and destroy even friendly bacteria,scientists say.

Some of the beneficial bacteria may never recover and such extinctionscould lead to increased susceptibility to infections and diseases suchas obesity, allergies and asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and type1 diabetes, they warn.

In a commentary published in the journal Nature, Blaser argues thatwidespread use of antibiotics should be replaced with narrow spectrum,more-targeted drugs.

"I believe that doctors of the future will be replacing "lost" membersof our normal flora in young children to diminish the risk ofdevelopment of these important and chronic diseases," Blaser said.

Copyright 2011 by United Press International

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

breakthrough medicine

2011-05-25T07:41:00.001-04:00

Paralyzed man regains movement

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (UPI) -- An experimental treatment has allowed anOregon man, paralyzed from the waist down, to regain movement and eventake a few steps, doctors said.

Rob Summers of Portland was struck by a hit-and-run driver in 2006 andfaced a life in a wheelchair when three years of intensive therapybrought no signs of improvement in his condition, The Washington Postreported Thursday.

Doctors say Summers, 25, is the first patient who has regained theability to consciously move parts of the body as a result of directelectrical stimulation of the spinal cord, which apparentlyreactivates the nerve circuits that remain intact.

In the procedure, a small strip of electrodes is implanted along thelower spinal cord that sends signals meant to mimic those that thebrain sends to stimulate movement.

After the surgery, Summers and the researchers spent two years ofintensive training to identify exactly what combination of stimulationto the spinal cord and body position would enable Summers to move atoe or an ankle, rise to a standing position or take a step inresponse to his brain thinking about making those movements.

"It was absolutely incredible," Summers said of the feeling when hestood again for the first time. "There are not enough words todescribe what I felt. It was an amazing feeling."

Doctors cautioned that much more research will be required before manyother paralyzed patients could attempt the treatment or before theycould predict how much movement might be restored.

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Fwd: Smell -makes a difference

2011-05-20T09:01:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sieg Holle <siegholle@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 20, 2011 at 7:59 AM
Subject: Smell -makes a difference
To:

Aromatherapy's Amazing Effects on Your Mind and Mood

Alan Hirsch, MD

Scents have subtle yet powerful effects on emotions -- boosting confidence, easing stress, triggering fond memories and more. Here's how to use your sense of smell to manage your moods... and other people's, too!
Increase mental sharpness with fresh flowers. When you need to focus -- for instance, to memorize a speech or balance a checkbook -- keep a vase of mixed fragrant flowers nearby. Take periodic breaks to consciously "stop and smell the roses." For kids: This helps when doing homework or studying for a test.

Promote positive family interaction with Garlic. Serve garlic bread at dinner. In studies, this scent reduced negative dinnertime remarks by 22.7% and increased pleasantries by 7.4%. You don't even have to eat the bread to reap the benefits.

Feel younger with pink grapefruit. To make others perceive you as youthful (so you feel that way, too), apply a grapefruit-scented or other citrusy body lotion or spray right after your shower. Avoid: Lavender, which makes you seem granny-ish.

Feel more secure with baby powder. Keep a small bottle or resealable plastic bag of baby powder in your purse or briefcase. Before heading into a challenging situation (a meeting with your ex, a job interview), open the container slightly and take a small whiff. Don't inhale too deeply -- you may sneeze or get powder all over your face.

Curb food cravings with banana or peppermint. You needn't eat a banana -- just smell it (peeled or unpeeled). Or, place two drops of peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball, stick it in a plastic bag and take a whiff -- or try sugar-free peppermint gum or hard candy.

Combat claustrophobia with evergreens. Keep a small vial of evergreen essential oil in your pocket or purse. When in a cramped space (an elevator, a crowd), hold the vial near your nose and inhale two or three times. Repeat every 10 minutes as needed.

Assuage anger with cucumber. Hold a sliced cucumber one-half inch from your face and level with your lips -- inhale deeply, continuing for several minutes. To reduce road rage, use a cucumber-melon air freshener in the car. Avoid: Barbecuing or roasting meat when you're angry -- the scent stirs up fiery feelings that heighten aggression.

Relax and wind down with lavender. Lie down and place a lavender-scented eye pillow over your eyes -- breathe slowly and deeply for several minutes. Avoid: Jasmine, which promotes alertness.

Rev up a man's libido with pumpkin pie or black licorice. Bake a pumpkin pie for maximum effect -- or use a reed diffuser (a stick that wicks the aroma from a bottle of scented oil). On a date: Nibble on black licorice. Noteworthy: Perfume is only 3% effective at arousing a man's romantic feelings -- versus 40% for pumpkin pie and 13% for licorice.

Bottom Line/Women's Health interviewed Alan Hirsch, MD, founder and neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation and an assistant professor in the departments of neurology and psychiatry at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, both in Chicago. He has conducted more than 200 studies on smell and taste disorders and is the author of eight books, including Life's a Smelling Success (Authors of Unity) and Sensa Weight-Loss Program (Hilton). His Web site is www.smellandtaste.org.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Beware of new treatments

2011-05-17T15:57:00.000-04:00

Germany shuts down stem cell clinic

BERLIN (UPI) -- German authorities say they've closed down acontroversial clinic offering unproven stem cell treatments for avariety of physical conditions.

The XCell clinic had been treating disorders including cerebral palsy,Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury, ScienceMag.org reportedTuesday.

The clinic had been operating under a loophole in European regulationsthat allowed some treatments already in use when new regulationsregarding stem cell procedures took effect to continue for 18 monthswithout formal approval.

The grace period ended in January and German health authorities shutdown the clinic in late April. The clinic charged more than 3,000patients as much as $37,000 each for its treatments.

Authorities are considering criminal charges against the clinicresulting from two cases in which treatments went wrong.

An 18-month-old boy died in October after stem cells were injectedinto his brain. A few months before, a 10-year-old boy almost diedfollowing a similar procedure and is now severely disabled,authorities said.

XCell had clinic branches in Dusseldorf and Cologne.

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

good news on smoking

2011-05-16T07:02:00.001-04:00

Quitting Smoking May Get Easier

My boyfriend in college was a heavy smoker. When he finally decided to quit, I was relieved for both of us. To make the ordeal of withdrawal easier, he began chewing nicotine replacement gum. He kept the little silver packets in his jacket pockets, the glove compartment, in upstairs and downstairs cabinets -- everywhere he could think of so that he wouldn't be left without a piece of gum in any conceivable circumstance. The pharmacy would sell only limited supplies -- and running out of that gum could be just as hair-raising as running out of cigarettes. It left you nervous and shaky -- and worse, if you ran out of the gum, you might go right back to the cigarettes.

Now the Food And Drug Administration has agreed to reconsider the 12-week suggested limit on the gum and on other over-the counter nicotine replacement products (NRTs) -- which include patches and lozenges as well as chewing gum. The FDA also agreed to make them more easily available. And that is big news for anyone trying to quit. I can certainly bear witness to that.

COMPARING SIDE EFFECTS

To find out more, I contacted K. Michael Cummings, PhD, chair of the department of health behavior at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo and one of the country's top experts in smoking cessation. He said that many people don't try NRTs, because they're fearful of getting addicted to the nicotine replacement, so they don't use it long enough to help get over the hump of their smoking addiction. But, he told me, it is now clear that the side effects of the smoking-cessation products aren't nearly as serious as the consequences of smoking, which include lung cancer, strokes and heart attacks, to name just some of the most serious.

Dr. Cummings emphasized that while NRTs won't automatically turn off the urge to smoke, they will help a smoker get relief from nicotine withdrawal by supplying nicotine minus the carcinogens and other harmful elements in tobacco products. He strongly believes that there is no reason for smokers using NRTs to discontinue using them after 12 weeks if they think it helps them stay off cigarettes. The American Cancer Society and others have been lobbying for just such a change as well.

CHANGES AHEAD

Most experts believe this labeling change will happen later this year. And this, Dr. Cummings said, will hopefully trigger other changes. Some of the most important: NRT products would be permitted for sale in all outlets now licensed to sell tobacco products - not just in pharmacies. In addition, NRT packaging should allow for the sale of products in daily supplies so that smokers can more directly substitute clean and safe NRTs for deadly and addictive tobacco products. (In other words, no more rooting around in the glove compartment for that spare piece of gum!) If these changes are made, NRTs are likely to cost less and become more easily available.

"It would be nice to see NRT products in gas stations and convenience stores, not just in pharmacies as is the case now," said Dr. Cummings. With wider distribution of NRTs will come more competition, driving down the purchase price. It now costs about $50 for a two-week supply of nonprescription lozenges or gum and a little less for 14 patches -- maybe not as much as cigarettes, but still expensive.

NICOTINE-FREE?

Nicotine consumed in a large enough quantity can be a deadly poison. And while the amount of nicotine in NRTs is too low to be acutely dangerous, there are certain safety concerns. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports that nicotine harms the linings of the arteries, thereby increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke. So think through your "quitting strategy." There's no question that giving up cigarettes is a tough but important thing to do. If you can use the patch or gum or whatever NRT works for you to accomplish this, it's going to improve your chances for a healthy life substantially. Then, you can step down from the NRTs as well -- and give yourself a chance to live completely nicotine-free.

Source(s):

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

Beware of new treatments

2011-05-12T10:38:00.000-04:00

Germany shuts down stem cell clinic

BERLIN (UPI) -- German authorities say they've closed down acontroversial clinic offering unproven stem cell treatments for avariety of physical conditions.

The XCell clinic had been treating disorders including cerebral palsy,Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury, ScienceMag.org reportedTuesday.

The grace period ended in January and German health authorities shutdown the clinic in late April. The clinic charged more than 3,000patients as much as $37,000 each for its treatments.

Authorities are considering criminal charges against the clinicresulting from two cases in which treatments went wrong.

XCell had clinic branches in Dusseldorf and Cologne.

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations

War on cancer solution

2011-01-17T09:08:00.000-05:00

Possible cancer 'suppressor' protein seen

MONTREAL (UPI) -- Canadian researchers say they've discovered a key reason why cancer cells proliferate and spread to other parts of the body.

Scientists at the Universite de Montreal say the finding could lead to better diagnostic tests for cancer and even possible therapies that could stop tumor cells from growing and spreading, The Montreal Gazette reported Friday.

The researchers examined tissue samples from 65 patients at Montreal's Notre-Dame Hospital with confirmed prostate cancer and compared them with an analysis of 13 patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.

In the patients with the benign growth the prostate cells contained high levels of a molecule called PML that has been shown to limit the number of times a pre-cancerous cell can divide.

In the 65 patients with prostate cancer, there was no PML protein detected in the cells, allowing the malignant prostate cells to continue to divide and to grow unchecked, the researchers say.

One of the co-authors of the study called PML a "tumor suppressor protein."

"Our findings unravel the unexpected ability of PML to organize a network of tumor suppression proteins to repress ... cell proliferation," Veronique Bourdeau said.

The research could be a starting point for a drug therapy to stimulate the expression of PML in cancer cells, forcing the cells to stop dividing and thereby halting the spread of the disease, Bourdeau said.

Copyright 2011 by United Press International

ProActive Rants: Care rationing-What happens when there is no more money for public health care?

2010-12-28T13:17:00.000-05:00

ProActive Rants: Care rationing-What happens when there is no more money for public health care?

Here is the bleak future -if we hit the spending wall

Douglas MD daily dose highlights

2010-12-18T14:52:00.001-05:00

What I talked about in the Daily Dose this week...

Hospital med worsens psychosis
Some of the worst "care" you'll ever see takes place in hospitals every day, where mainstream medicine kills more people than it ever saves. Researchers have found that a drug commonly given off-label to intensive care patients who suffer from delirium actually makes the condition worse, and might even kill them to boot.
Read the full story.

'Twinkie Diet' will kill you
Want to be healthy by mainstream standards? Just reach for a box of Twinkies.
Read the full story.

Researchers warn against red yeast rice
Offer a safe and inexpensive alternative to a risky and expensive drug, and watch how fast they beat down your door. Just look at the latest study on red yeast rice.
Read the full story.

Gardasil down, but not out
Teenage girls and their parents aren't as dumb as Big Pharma thinks -- because a new study finds they're saying "NO!" to the dangerous public health experiment known as Gardasil.
Read the full story.

The potato diet publicity stunt
A publicity-hungry potato industry bigwig is out to prove that spuds are health food -- and to make his point, that's all he's eating for two starchy months. But this is a lose-lose proposition.
Read the full story.

Garlic for your blood pressure?
Garlic might not keep any vampires away from your blood, but it could help shut your doctor up about your blood pressure.
Read the full story.

Common drugs increase risk of stroke and death
Reasons #47 and #48 to avoid antidepressants: They increase your risk of stroke and death.
Read the full story.

Booze helps women live better
My two favorite W's have always been women and wine -- and they go together like, well, women and wine. It's a perfect pairing... and two new studies found that women who drink don't just live longer -- they're also much healthier when they do reach old age.
Read the full story.

--

Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Sunridge Lodge "Back to Eden" quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -

Brant Positive Action Group -a positive community affirmative action group that promotes goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant Brantford and Six Nations

How did we do and how can we improve it your ideas are welcome

2010-11-30T13:35:00.000-05:00

Remember the world before you came to make a difference?

How would you make a difference now in our community?

Loading...

A great review of the challenges facing Health Care

2010-11-24T01:45:00.002-05:00

Globe and Mail Health care report

it is broken but it can be fixed

How would you fix it ? We will hit the spending wall as the costs double every 10 years.

--

A call to action for Brantford

2010-11-03T19:45:00.001-04:00

Subject: A call to action for Brantford

To: the BRANTFORD ECONOMIC INITIATIVE <the-brantford-economic-initiative@googlegroups.com>

A community call to action for Brantford, Brant and Six Nations
"We have to do more then water the flowers –we need to plant a vibrant
garden with the help of many good people"

As the many good people who did not win the race for official
government office take down their election signs, action plans and
better vision platforms, please remember that your community needs you
in many capacities. You have spent months getting real face to face
input and grassroots feedback from the people of your community. You
are now an real expert on what the people want, what the people do not
want and you have their pulse and the many ideas of what they think
should be done to better their community..

There are many issues that must be addressed to grow our community
successfully with your help. Individually or together we can make a
difference. I am sharing some current challenges gleaned from my
"boots walking" people survey . Here are some of the things that I
heard and learned from the people .

"Energy costs are rising to hurtful levels " … "Many costs of living
are rising here"

This is a issue that is going to get hot in the cold of winter -
particularly for those who use electrical heat and the costs escalate
to unaffordable "shut off "levels. What are we going to do to help
these people-that is the question? Some issues that are of interest
• An upload to the the provincial and federal govt- can the home
energy sector be made exempt from the HST ? What actions or
considerations will make this possible? There are citizen groups
starting to promote this " Influencing actions at the federal and
provincial level on utility bills like hydro, water and other
municipal intergovernmental issues"
• Predatory pricing practices of local utilities -such as connect and
disconnect charges - excessive interest and service charges hidden and
new profit centres to subsidize cost centres? - What to do to
remediate this or remedies on an exception basis?
• Consolidation of local utilities - there is one energy supplier -why
do we need multiple energy distributors - what happened to the
consolidation strategy - to reduce the number of overheads of the many
local energy distributors?

Why are the bad investment decisions of the past absorbed or
subsidized by the utility user? This is a monopoly pricing situation
over which they -the user have no control. Should these bad decisions
not come out of the general account?

A further sampling of my boots survey Voter comments

"Taxes and fees are out of control and we are not getting much for the
increased costs"." How are we going to pay for it?" "How are we going
to get high paying jobs here? "I just lost my job after many years and
now work for a temp agency-I have no choice and hate it." "There is a
drug house in the neighbourhood, I am afraid and the police can do
nothing about it. " " I moved from Toronto and commute every day –my
taxes are higher here-can you improve transportation to make it easier
to get to my work- a Go Station would be nice " " I live here, but the
large company that I run is in Cambridge –would have built it here –
but the City administration reneged on a major promise " "What do
those people who work for the city really do for the big money we pay
them –I work harder for less money ?" " This development plan for 80
heactres is owned by the city and could support 500 houses -we have
been working at it for 5 years – this part of the public consultation
has cost $200,000 , and it is going on for longer to make sure we
have proper input-what is your opinion?" "Why does everything take so
long to get approvals to do my projects- it is easier and faster in
other cities?" Why can we not get along with our neighbours and work
with them better –losing 350 jobs because of disputes is childish and
stupid " " Why is city garbage piled up next to my house –it stinks –
the city owns the rental complex –I have complained but nobody helps
me or cares" . "Why does it take a city truck , with a crew take two
days to paint a park bench" "Why do we have so many empty city owned
buildings seems like a waste to me – should we sell them to someone
who cares" 'Great plan but I have heard this before can you deliver
on the promise –action is really better then words –show me how I can
help get it done " "You are the first person who asked me –thank you
for asking "

The need for change

These questions and public comments from the people indicate that we
must change how we do things in this city and area- in the future
-.for the better . It is a call to action to do things that deliver
positive outcomes. It is a challenge to the new council to deliver
results , it is a challenge to business to grow jobs , it is a
challenge to all existing and new volunteer groups to add real value ,
it is a challenge to all individuals and groups to care how things are
done in this community . It is our city, our community and we get
what we put in.

I thank the people of Brantford for the opportunity to listen to your
very real concerns. It is a call to action that I accept as a
community volunteer and business person . I wish the new council every
success and sincerely hope all other candidates -not chosen for
council- will continue to support this community with their energy,
plans and ideas. Together we can make this an even better place to
live and prosper.

Thank you, people its been an exhilarating march and new self
motivating leadership ride

Sieg Holle BS MBA
www.siegholleward1.com

Moving forward with new energy and ideas –please join me
Brantford Economic Initiative BEi

In progress - Brant Positve Action Group and comming soon
If they can not do it –we can as citizens – all ideas and community action plans welcome

Join the Brant tea party -can we duplicate the success of the USA tea party group
--
SunridgeLodge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

FYI -Interesting facts on crime -prevention costs are more effective

2010-10-12T12:06:00.001-04:00

Murder costs society -- about $17 million
AMES, Iowa (UPI) -- Murder has a human cost, of course, but U.S. sociologists say there's a financial cost as well -- about $17 million per murder.

Researchers at Iowa State University calculated the costs of five crimes -- murder, rape, armed robbery, aggravated assault and burglary -- in terms of the victim costs, criminal justice system costs, lost productivity estimates for both the victim and the criminal, and estimates on the public's resulting willingness to pay to prevent future violence, a university release says.

They calculated the societal cost of rape ($448,532), armed robbery ($335,733), aggravated assault ($145,379) and burglary ($41,288).

While research attaching cost estimates to heinous crimes may appear a bit cold in nature, one researcher says it's actually conducted with prevention in mind.

"This area of research has really been run with prevention researchers," Matt DeLisi, an ISU associate professor of sociology and director of the criminal justice program, said.

"That's because what they find is that even if a prevention program is very expensive -- and most of them are actually shockingly inexpensive -- they're still more cost effective than allowing these careers to unfold."

The study was published in the August 2010 edition of The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Fwd: Bill C-308 Defeated – But EI Tax Hikes Still Coming

2010-10-01T10:00:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Canadian Taxpayers Federation <admin@taxpayer.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:51:54 -0400
Subject: Bill C-308 Defeated – But EI Tax Hikes Still Coming
To: Sieg Holle <backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com>

Dear Supporter:

Earlier this week we asked you to join us in urging Liberal Leader
[1]Michael Ignatieff and his finance critic [2]Scott Brison to vote NO on
the Bloc Québécois' sponsored Bill C-308. We're happy to report the Bill was
voted down 147 to 124 in House of Commons yesterday afternoon.
Links:
1. mailto:Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca
2. mailto:Brison.S@parl.gc.ca

That bill, which sought to reduce qualification for EI to just 360 hours
worked, would have added upwards of $4-billion to the program and
potentially raised premiums as much as 24%. According to the [3]Globe and
Mail, Mr. Ignatieff changed his earlier position in support of the bill
under pressure from groups like the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Links:
3. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ignatieff-changes-his-mind-on-ei-bill/article1732585?utm_source=General+List&utm_campaign=2dae75044e-General_Bill_C_308_Defeated9_30_2010&utm_medium=email

However, we're not out of the woods yet.

EI rates were already set to rise 15 ¢ (per $100 of earnings) January 1^st.
Earlier today [4]Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced the EI _increase_
would be "reduced" to 5 ¢ per $100 of earnings for employees and 7 ¢ per
$100 of earnings for employers.
Links:
4. http://www.fin.gc.ca/n10/10-088-eng.asp?utm_source=General+List&utm_campaign=2dae75044e-General_Bill_C_308_Defeated9_30_2010&utm_medium=email

The CTF takes the position that _any_ increase in taxes avoids the more
responsible route of a review and reform of EI that focuses on spending. As
long as the EI program continues as is, tax increases are simply deferred.
Current EI Fund shortfalls are added to the already ballooning federal
deficit. This is unacceptable.

We commend [5]Mr. Ignatieff for recognizing how irresponsible [6]Bill
C-308 was and changing his position. We also commend [7]Mr. Flaherty for
recognizing a massive increase in payroll taxes would not serve our economic
recovery. Now it's up to both leaders to reform EI.
Links:
5. mailto:Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca
6. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx%3FDocid=4330050%26file=4%26utm_source=General+List%26utm_campaign=34d047eca0-No_45_Day_Work_Year9_28_2010%26utm_medium=email?utm_source=General+List&utm_campaign=2dae75044e-General_Bill_C_308_Defeated9_30_2010&utm_medium=email
7. mailto:Flaherty.J@parl.gc.ca

Last year the CTF wrote a [8]feature on EI reform in our official
publication [9]The Taxpayer. We will continue to press the same with
lawmakers this fall in advance on the scheduled tax hike on January 1^st.
We encourage you contact Messrs [10]Flaherty and [11]Ignatieff with a
similar message.
Links:
8. http://www.taxpayer.com/node/13207?utm_source=General+List&utm_campaign=2dae75044e-General_Bill_C_308_Defeated9_30_2010&utm_medium=email
9. http://www.taxpayer.com/node/10339?utm_source=General+List&utm_campaign=2dae75044e-General_Bill_C_308_Defeated9_30_2010&utm_medium=email
10. mailto:Flaherty.J@parl.gc.ca
11. mailto:Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca

--Kevin, Courtenay, Shannon and the rest of the CTF team

PS: Your [12]donation allows us to fight payroll tax increases. Our lean
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Links:
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A Man's Private Concerns

2010-09-18T10:40:00.000-04:00

A Man's Private Concerns

Useful read ED

male baby difference

2010-09-17T09:52:00.001-04:00

Study: Nutrition in infancy affects males
EVANSTON, Ill. (UPI) -- Males who experience rapid weight gain in the first six months of life reach puberty sooner and are taller and more muscular, a study suggests.

A Northwestern University study of men in the Philippines found adult males who had rapid growth as babies -- indicating they were not nutritionally stressed -- grow up stronger and show higher testosterone levels as young adults, a university release said Monday.

Testosterone may hold the key to understanding these long-term effects, researchers say.

"Most people are unaware that male infants in the first six months of life produce testosterone at approximately the same level as an adult male," Christopher W. Kuzawa, associate professor of anthropology and author of the study, said. "We looked at weight gain during this particular window of early life development, because testosterone is very high at this age and helps shape the differences between males and females."

The study is evidence that genes alone do not predict our adult fate, researchers say.

"The environment has a very strong hand in how we turn out," Kuzawa said. "And this study extends that idea to the realm of sex differences and male biology."

The magnitude of difference in height and strength between men and women appears to be the result of nutrition within the first six months of an infant male's life, the study determined.

"Another way to look at it is that the differences between the sexes are not hard wired, but are responsive to the environment, and in particular to nutrition," Kuzawa said.

--
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Brant-Knights of Columbus: Health-care system is on life support - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA

2010-09-14T12:04:00.000-04:00

Brant-Knights of Columbus: Health-care system is on life support - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA

Vindication ? We can't cure the patient, folks, until we cut out the rot.

Signs that an Aging Loved One Needs Help

2010-09-14T10:14:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: 50Plus.com <MSN_Partner_WebCourier@email.msadcenter.msn.com>
Date: Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Subject: Signs that an Aging Loved One Needs Help
To: "SiegHolle@hotmail.com" <SiegHolle@hotmail.com>

September 2010 | A Resource for Those Who Care About Seniors

Look for Signs that a Senior Loved One Needs Help

The signs that a senior loved one needs help can be subtle: spoiled food in the refrigerator, dust on the furniture, spills on floors and carpets, and piles of late bills or old newspapers. The failure to tune into those signs can lead to not-so-subtle problems such as falls and health issues that threaten an older adult's ability to remain at home.

"Focusing on what is going on in a senior's life as well as encouraging that individual to be open to the need for elder-care assistance is the first step toward ensuring that a loved one is safe," said Paul Hogan, Co-founder and Chairman of the Home Instead Senior Care^® network.

Here are other signs to watch for:

Look over the grocery list. Has your loved one's declining health prompted them to purchase more convenience and junk foods, and neglect proper nutrition? Are they losing weight?
Look up at fans and ceilings. Has the inability to lift their arms and climb stepstools prevented your senior loved one from cleaning soot and grime from high places?
Look down at frayed carpets, throw rugs, objects and furniture, which could be creating tripping hazards. Does your senior loved one's bad knee put them at greater risk on cracked sidewalks and with broken stair rails?
Look below bathroom and kitchen sinks. Is poor eyesight making it difficult for your senior loved one to read medication labels and to properly store cleaning materials? Are they forgetting to refill medications and to take them on schedule? Check the refill date against the number of pills in the bottle to help determine if your loved one is taking medication regularly. Or call the pharmacy.
Look at your senior's appearance. Is clothing dirty and unkempt, and is your loved one neglecting personal hygiene?

Tap into community resources to learn how to assist your parents if they are starting to need more help at home. Geriatric care managers and Area Agencies on Aging are good places to start. Or go to the family caregiver education series topic signs of aging at www.CaregiverStress.com.

Aging Parent Care

Dr. Amy D'Aprix is a life transition consultant, author, corporate speaker, facilitator, coach and an expert in aging, retirement and caregiving. Dr. Amy helps transform the lives of people involved in the caregiving experience. Her passion, understanding and empathy come from her own personal experience of caring for her parents for more than a decade.

Conversation: Minding Our Elders was created by Carol Bradley Bursack after she cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Her blog and Web site feature links to helpful agencies, articles rich with information and comfort, links to chat groups, and resources for caregiver, boomer and senior needs.

Phone: 888-484-5759 | Email: info@homeinstead.com

Follow Home Instead on Facebook.

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If you would prefer to no longer receive this MSN Newsletter Partner, please click the "Unsubscribe" link below. To set your contact preferences for other Microsoft communications, see the communications preferences section of the Microsoft Privacy Statement.

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FYI: Daily Dose Digest- another invasion of privacy

2010-09-12T11:03:00.001-04:00

Why do we let them get away with it?

Daily Dose with William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

You have received this e-mail because our records indicate that you signed up for a free subscription to the Daily Dose eLetter.

Your naked body, now on file

I hope you look good naked -- because the feds are snapping pictures of your privates. They're keeping them and even sharing them, thanks to the invasive new full-body scanners being put into use everywhere.

In fact, the U.S. Marshalls say they've saved more than 35,000 full-body scanner images from a single courthouse in Florida alone, according to CNET news.

What's more, the Marshalls say they also stored images in a unit used at a Washington, D.C. courthouse... and then sent the unit back to the manufacturer with the images still inside!

Looks like someone knows what's under the judge's robes.

This isn't limited to courthouses, because the TSA has already admitted that every unit it buys for airport "security" will be capable of saving and storing images.

But don't worry, they say. They plan to turn that part off.

Now, which button was that again?

Scanning the news for nudes,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

P.S. I've already told you how dangerous these radiation-blasting machines are. Click here to read more. Remember, there is NO safe level of exposure.

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What I talked about in the Daily Dose this week...

Tylenol linked to asthma in kids
If all the recalls and the already well-known side effects haven't been enough to convince you to ditch the Tylenol for good, maybe this will: Researchers say acetaminophen may be responsible for up to 40 percent of all wheezing and severe asthma cases in teens.
Read the full story.

Magazine's baseless attack on supplements
Consumer Reports has practically organized an entire supplement-hating campaign over a handful of obscure herbal remedies. The press is just eating it up. But don't stop taking your supplements just yet.
Read the full story.

How drug companies always win
Talk about stacking the deck and loading the dice. A new study shows that when Big Pharma plays the research game, they win nearly every time. You might even say they have it down to a science -- with more science put into gaming the system than you'll ever see in their phony baloney drug studies.
Read the full story.

Diet pill failure shows how drugs fall short
There may come a time when a pill will help make you less fat. But if you keep eating McCrap, no drug in the world will make you healthy -- and all you have to do is look at the results of an aborted drug experiment to see why.
Read the full story.

OTC Cancer Cure... Cover-up!?
Big Pharma doesn't want you to have this over-the-counter cure... because it actually reverses the growth of cancer cells. So they are using everything in their power to keep it from you -- while their expensive cancer drugs do nothing. But that's just the start -- this underground miracle can reverse the damage from diabetes and so much more... Get the story "they" don't want you to have here.
Read the full story.

Wacky new plan to give drugs with fast food
In one of the most irresponsible and outrageous public health proposals in human history, British researchers say fast food restaurants should give out statins with each meal. What is WRONG with these people?
Read the full story.

Low-carb diets great for cholesterol
They're playing my song! The tune is "I was right all along" and the lyrics are all about the benefits of a healthy low-carb diet. That's because a new study finds that the best way to raise your cholesterol to healthy levels -- and lower your deadly triglycerides -- is through delicious fatty foods.
Read the full story.

WHO NEEDS GLASSES?
In as little as eight weeks you could be reading without your glasses or contact lenses...and without surgery or strenuous eye exercises. Now, thanks to an exciting program developed at the internationally acclaimed Cambridge Institute for Better Vision, you may be able to discard your glasses -- for life!
Read the full story.

Mealworms for your meals
Let them eat insects! That's the buggy new rallying cry of the United Nations climate kooks... because now they claim we all need to eat insects if we hope to reverse global warming.
Read the full story.

Almond farmers in courtroom victory
California farmers have won a major victory in the nuttiest story I've ever written about -- the war over raw almonds.
Read the full story.

If you thought your Glory Days were behind you, think again!
Now you can have the best sex of your life for the REST of your life, with the REVOLUTIONARY BREAKTHROUGH FOR MEN directly from natural medicine's most respected doctor, Jonathan V. Wright, M.D.! If you thought those days were long gone, there's some critical news you need to know... About the groundbreaking formulation directly from Dr. Wright that can help you GET IT ALL BACK -- and then some.
Read the full story.

Ringing? Hissing? Buzzing in your ears?

Your ears are haunted by unexplained sounds -- day and night...but since your doctor can't see them, hear them or touch them, nothing can be done, right?

Wrong!

When the mainstream admits defeat, we find a solution! And we've found not one, but four ways, to help silence your "mental orchestra" once and for all.

Visit the link below and learn how this cutting-edge breakthrough in natural health just may deliver the sweet silence you're looking for -- Risk Free!

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Contact Us
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Loneliness -a killer

2010-09-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

Overcoming Loneliness, Part I

"The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"1

"I'm all alone in the universe. No one really knows me. No one really cares. God—if there is one—is far away. He got tired of the world and moved away. I looked in the mirror today and saw the real me—one hideous scar, an open sore. I'm going to sleep."

These were the words of a brilliant student at a large, well-known university. He was one of the most promising students there. He was exceptionally gifted, handsome, athletic, and popular, and he was headed for an outstanding career in medicine. In spite of all this, he was still a very lonely young man. After writing the above note, he injected poison into his veins and died.

Loneliness, like depression, is one of the plagues of contemporary society. Few escape it altogether. In its chronic form it is a killer. When we were still printing ACTS Encounter brochures, "Overcoming Loneliness," from which this series is taken, was one of the most requested pamphlets people requested.

Time magazine reported some years ago that health studies have long shown that unmarried or widowed people are much more susceptible to sickness than married people. For instance, the death rate from heart disease is five times as high among widows between 25 and 34 as it is among married women of the same age. And the divorced of all ages are twice as susceptible to strokes as are the married.2 I would expect that little has changed since this article was first written.

James J. Lynch, when he was a specialist in psychosomatic medicine at the University of Maryland Medical School, and author of The Broken Heart: The Medical Consequences of Loneliness, claimed that suicide, cancer, tuberculosis, accidents, mental disorders, and especially heart disease are "all significantly influenced by human companionship."

In other words, "loneliness and isolation can literally break your heart." Loneliness is a feeling of not being able to reach another person and his not being able to reach you. It is a feeling of being isolated even though you may be surrounded by people.

--

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wisdom and smiles from mae west - An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.

2010-08-17T10:22:00.000-04:00

Classic Quotes by Mae West (1892-1980) US actor
A hard man is good to find.

------------------------

A man can be short and dumpy and getting bald but if he has fire, women will like him.

------------------------

A man has one hundred dollars and you leave him with two dollars, that's subtraction.

------------------------

A man's kiss is his signature.

------------------------

An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.

------------------------

Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.

------------------------

Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.

------------------------

Don't marry a man to reform him - that's what reform schools are for.

------------------------

Give a man a free hand and he'll run it all over you.

------------------------

Good sex is like good bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand.

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Why community is important

2010-08-14T11:02:00.001-04:00

Why the sunrdige 4 c's work - community -not isolated individuals !

Your social relationships can predict your odds of living or dying. ( from the Zoomer report)

Here's more evidence on how important family and friends are for your health. New research from Brigham Young University suggests that social relationships can predict a person's odds of living or dying. The researchers found that social connections can improve the odds of survival by 50 per cent.

They combined the results of 148 studies that followed more than 300,000 people around the world for seven years. They concluded that adults with strong personal relationships may live an average of almost four years longer than those with weaker social ties.

And social isolation can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic. The researchers also suggest it does more damage than not exercising -- and is twice as harmful as obesity.

The study authors figure that when someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility for other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks. Relationships also reduce stress and boost the immune system.

They also say the challenge now is to put this information to good use. The Globe and Mail ran an editorial calling on the government to stage a public health campaign – a war on friendlessness and social isolation akin to the war on smoking or obesity. It's an interesting idea!

--
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The Most Important Health Care Story You've Never Heard - Forbes.com

2010-07-20T10:06:00.000-04:00

The Most Important Health Care Story You've Never Heard - Forbes.com

Interesting insights into the barrier to health innovations and other lifesaving devices.
Greed seems to rule over patient needs - worth a read

This is a worthwhile insight -be careful -do not become addicted

2010-07-17T08:01:00.001-04:00

Meet your new drug dealer

Forget coke, crack and smack -- because legal meds are giving street drugs a run for the money.

We've become a nation of dopers, and you don't need a shady dealer on a street corner to get high anymore.

Your doctor will do just fine.

The latest numbers reveal a sad and shocking milestone: Legal meds like painkillers and sedatives now send as many Americans to emergency rooms each year as hardcore street drugs: 1 million people.

Move over, Mary Jane!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says ER trips due to the "nonmedical" use of painkillers alone shot up 111 percent over five years, to 305,885 in 2008 from 144,644 in 2004.

Oxycodone led the way with 105,214 ER visits, while hydrocodone accounted for 89,051 and methadone claimed 63,629, according to the numbers in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

In case you're wondering, the numbers are up across the board. Men? Up! Women? Up! Under 21? Up! Older than 21? Up, up -- and away!

There's just one area that's not up -- street drugs. But that shouldn't be a big surprise -- who needs street drugs anymore when a completely legal high is just a copay away?

The CDC says it's concerned by the increase -- which would almost be funny if so many lives weren't at stake. The feds also claim that urgent action is needed, but don't hold your breath waiting for that.

You and I both know that the last thing the Pharma-funded U.S. government will ever do is take "urgent" action against the drug companies to save your puny little life.

Save yourself instead -- treat all drugs like the dangerous meds they are... and never, ever take them unless you really, truly need them.

Keeping off the streets,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

--
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England tries to improve their Health system

2010-07-14T07:38:00.001-04:00

British healthcare system reorganizes
LONDON (UPI) -- British doctors will be solely responsible for front-line patient care under a new-look plan for Britain's national healthcare system, health officials said.

Health officials said the plan, outlined in a white paper that will be published next week, is designed to shift key decisions about patients' care to the doctors who know them, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

Under the plans, doctors would receive government funds to pay hospitals directly instead of the money being given to a system of primary care trusts that pay for hospital treatment for patients from their areas.

The change means strategic health authorities and primary care trusts under the National Health Service will be scrapped and tens of thousands of administrative jobs will be lost, officials said.

Officials said they hope the new, mandatory system will reduce red tape and give doctors and patients more control over treatment strategies.

The decision represents a victory for Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who has the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron about his decision to turn over taxpayer money to doctors.

Nigel Edwards, acting NHS Confederation chief executive officer, warned the changes would be difficult to implement, the publication said.

"In transition to this new system there are some quite significant risks," Edward said. "Obviously it is going to take time to implement this and the (primary care trusts) at the moment are the people who keep the lid on the performance and financial management of the system."

Copyright 2010 by United Press International

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WiFi Use Grows Strongly in Health Care Industry: Report - Health Care IT from eWeek

2010-07-02T09:13:00.000-04:00

Lets use technology to reduce care costs and improve both productivity and client service - S.Holle

WiFi Use Grows Strongly in Health Care Industry: Report - Health Care IT from eWeek

According to the research firm, health care users are usually the first adopters of new WiFi technology, and the recession of 2009-2010 didn't halt the growth of wireless activity. In addition to the home, patients in hospitals can now use WiFi to keep in touch with family and friends while recovering.

"The health care industry has come to rely on WiFi because it's versatile, proven technology that meets health care's unique needs — data-intensive work in highly mobile environments," Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director for the Wi-Fi Alliance, told eWEEK. "It has advanced security mechanisms, high-performance technology, a robust certification ecosystem and an enormous range of certified devices."
ABI's Wireless Health Care Research Service tracks other wireless technology in the health care industry such as Bluetooth, Low-Energy Bluetooth, ZigBee, 802.15.4 and proprietary low power RF offerings to see how it's used in areas such as WLAN, personal monitoring, disease management, assisted living and telepresence.

"Wi-Fi can certainly support this kind of application, but there are some lower-power technologies that it will have to compete with such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee and proprietary offerings," Collins told eWEEK. "Any offering in this market will have to be extremely simple to install, and operate and existing Wi-Fi connections can’t be relied upon to always be present.

With doctors now able to monitor patients' vital data from afar using wireless technology such as WiFi, ABI reported in July 2009 that remote patient monitoring is poised for major growth. At the time, the firm expected WiFi-enabled health care products worldwide (with the exception of WiFi-equipped medical equipment) to total $4.9 billion in 2014.

Scientists identify 'memory' molecule - a break threw

2010-07-02T08:29:00.001-04:00

Scientists identify 'memory' molecule
LEICESTER, England (UPI) -- Researchers in Britain say they've discovered a molecular key to how the human brain learns, and how it records and saves memories.

Scientists at the University of Leicester have identified the chemical mechanism by which memories are formed, a university release said Monday.

A key protein is involved in the brain's process of creating and retaining memories, Andrew Tobin, a professor of cell biology, said.

"This protein is present in the part of the brain in which memories are stored," Tobin said. "We have found that in order for any memory to be laid down this protein, called the M3-muscarinic receptor, has to be activated."

The finding could have important implications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Tobin said.

Since one of the major symptoms of Alzheimer's is memory loss, he said, drugs designed to target the protein identified in the study could lead to treatment options for the disease.

First in spending -last in delivery

2010-06-30T08:17:00.001-04:00

U.S. ranks last in study on healthcare
NEW YORK (UPI) -- Despite paying almost double for healthcare compared to any other country, the United States ranked last in a study of seven developed nations, a survey says.

The non-profit group, the Commonwealth Fund, used data from the 2007 International Health Policy Survey, conducted by telephone in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States; the 2008 International Health Policy Survey of Sicker Adults and the Commonwealth Fund 2009 International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians.

The United States ranked last for access to healthcare -- 54 percent of U.S. adults with chronic conditions reported not getting a recommended test, treatment or follow-up care because of cost.

U.S. patients are most likely to report being given the wrong medication or the wrong dose of their medication -- a preventable medical error, the study found.

In measuring efficiency, the U.S ranked last due to high administrative costs, lack of use of information technology, re-hospitalization rates of patients and duplicative medical testing. U.S. patients were three times as likely as those in Germany or the Netherlands to visit an emergency department for something a regular doctor could have treated.

For any category, the highest the United States ranked was fourth.

The Netherlands ranked first and has a per capita cost of healthcare of $3,837, the United States ranked last and had a healthcare per capita cost of $7,290.

Copyright 2010 by United Press International

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Interesting notes on FF (female frisky)

2010-06-18T10:49:00.001-04:00

Big Pharma readies female sex med

Ladies, if you're not in a perpetual state of moistened sexual readiness, there's something wrong with you.

No, really -- you are mentally ill. Deranged, even. Insane with a lack of sexual will.

Think I'm kidding? Turn on the TV -- at some point, a botox creation by the name of Lisa Rinna will begin yammering about a condition called "hypoactive sexual desire disorder."

And if you're not constantly horny, you might have it.

Sorry, there's no cure -- you're just going to have to accept the fact that your life will never, ever be complete or fulfilling.

Except...

It just so happens that the commercials are being funded by a group called the Society of Women's Health Research and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, which just so happens to have a drug in front of the FDA right now to treat "hypoactive sexual desire disorder."

That's right -- Big Pharma wants its new female sex drug to be a blockbuster right out of the gate. They're hoping to build up so much sexual frustration that there's a prescription orgy the day this thing is approved.

The drug is called flibanserin, although if it reaches the market it'll have a name like Girosa or Ectris. But no matter what they call it, they can't change what it really is -- because this med isn't some sexual wonder drug that's going to turn your man into Fabio or whoever women lust after these days.

As I've told you before, it's really just a failed antidepressant, one with more side effects than benefits -- including headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and urinary infections. In the mood yet? No?

Clearly, there's something wrong with you.

Feeling frisky,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com

"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Get your sunshine -vitamin D

2010-06-02T11:12:00.001-04:00

Low vitamin D linked to mobility problems

Stay out of the sun... use sunscreen... cover up... wear a hat... nag, nag, nag.

I'm sick of it!

This bad advice has led directly to the vitamin D crisis and skin cancer explosion
-- and now, a new study shows how it's destroying senior's lives, too.

Researchers say older Americans with the lowest levels of vitamin D have the highest risk for mobility problems... while those with the highest levels of the sunshine vitamin had the lowest risk.

Which category are you in? If you answered "highest," you're probably wrong. Most Americans are badly deficient, and it's getting worse every year.

Just look at this new study: The researchers tested 2,641 golden oldies with an average age of 75, and found two-thirds of them had insufficient D levels.

All of these seniors were asked to perform basic mobility tasks, such as walking 400 meters quickly, rising from a chair without using their arms, and some balance tests similar to what a cop might ask a DWI suspect to do.

The seniors were given the tests again two years later, and two years after that... and those with the highest D levels from the start did the best all the way through, according to the study presented at the Experimental Biology 2010 meeting.

The researchers say now they want to study whether D supplements can keep you out of the wheelchair, but let's call that what it is: An easy play for another research grant.

I can tell you right now what they'll find if they use high levels of genuine, natural vitamin D3: Healthy, active seniors. Vitamin D won't just boost your mobility, it will also lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease, bone breaks, cancer, colds, flu and more.

You can get your own quality supplement easily enough, but the best way to take in the D is to soak up the sun.

Just use a little common sense, don't get burned... and ignore the nags.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Survey: People uncaring to mentally ill

2010-06-01T11:36:00.001-04:00

Survey: People uncaring to mentally ill
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Twenty-two percent of U.S. adults say people show caring and sympathy to those with mental illness, a government survey indicates.

The national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the estimated 9.8 million U.S. adults living with serious mental illness, found the prevalence of serious mental illness is highest in the 18-25 age group.

The HealthStyles Survey, by SAMHSA and Porter Novelli, indicates 72 percent of young adults ages 18-24 say a person with mental illness would improve if given treatment and support. However, only 33 percent say a person can eventually recover from mental illness.

Forty percent of the survey respondents say a person with mental illness can succeed at work and 65 percent say treatment can help people with mental illness.

SAMHSA and The Advertising Council are beginning a national public service announcement campaign aimed at encouraging, educating and inspiring young adults to support friends and family experiencing a mental health problem.

"We know that people can recover from mental health problems," Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services, says in a statement. "Today we are getting the word out that support from friends and family can make a difference in helping people overcome these illnesses."

No survey details were provided.

Gmail - Daily Dose - Why seniors get weak - siegholle@gmail.com

2010-05-31T13:00:00.000-04:00

http://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/128e9267aa299260

Sleepless in the senior home
They call it "assisted living," but the only help most seniors get in these awful joints comes once a month, when they need help finding the checkbook.

A new study shows how seniors in these places suffer from widespread sleep disorders -- problems so bad they're leading to a rapid decline in the quality of life and even conditions like severe depression.
Of course, you'd be depressed too if you lived in some of these homes.

Researchers studied 121 seniors at assisted living facilities in the Los Angeles area and found that 65 percent of them were suffering from sleep problems such as waking up in the middle of the night and the inability to fall asleep in the first place.
Over the course of a six-month follow-up period, those who had trouble sleeping were more likely to come apart at the seams. These patients needed more help with their daily living -- which only shows they're not getting out of that assisted living big house anytime soon.

I was already steaming when I read about this in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society... but it gets even worse, because these sleepless seniors were also more likely to suffer from worsening depression.

So much for "assisted" living.
And if you think this problem is confined to these homes on the Left Coast, you're missing out on sleep yourself. Nothing can wreck a human being faster than a lack of sleep. Heck, we get in trouble when we "torture" terrorists with sleep deprivation... yet somehow it's perfectly OK when it happens to older Americans living in care facilities.

Remember -- sleep problems aren't normal at any age, even if they are par for the course in assisted living homes.
Needing no assistance, William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

How to beat the high cost of government retirement options

2010-05-27T06:28:00.001-04:00

Here's a Plan
About 2 years ago my wife and I were on a cruise through the western Mediterranean aboard a Princess ship. At dinner we noticed an elderly lady sitting alone along the rail of the grand stairway in the main dining room. I also noticed that all the staff, ships officers, waiters, busboys, etc., all seemed very familiar with this lady. I asked our waiter who the lady was, expecting to be told she owned the line, but he said he only knew that she had been on board for the last four cruises, back to back.

As we left the dining room one evening I caught her eye and stopped to say hello. We chatted and I said, "I understand you've been on this ship for the last four cruises." She replied, "Yes, that's true." I stated, "I don't understand" and she replied, without a pause, "It's cheaper than a nursing home."

So, there will be no nursing home in my future. When I get old and feeble, I am going to get on a Princess Cruise Ship. The average cost for a nursing home is $200 per day. I have checked on reservations at Princess and I can get a long term discount and senior discount price of $135 per day. That leaves $65 a day for:

1. Gratuities which will only be $10 per day.

2. I will have as many as 10 meals a day if I can waddle to the restaurant, or I can have room service (which means I can have breakfast in bed every day of the week).

3. Princess has as many as three swimming pools, a workout room, free washers and dryers, and shows every night.

4. They have free toothpaste and razors, and free soap and shampoo.

5. They will even treat you like a customer, not a patient. An extra $5 worth of tips will have the entire staff scrambling to help you.

6. I will get to meet new people every 7 or 14 days.

7. T.V. broken? Light bulb need changing? Need to have the mattress replaced? No Problem! They will fix everything and apologize for your inconvenience.

8. Clean sheets and towels every day, and you don't even have to ask for them.

9. If you fall in the nursing home and break a hip you are on Medicare; if you fall and break a hip on the Princess ship they will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.

Now hold on for the best! Do you want to see South America, the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, or name where you want to go? Princess will have a ship ready to go. So don't look for me in a nursing home, just call shore to ship.

P.S. And don't forget, when you die, they just dump you over the side at no charge.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Fast food fast exit

2010-05-22T09:32:00.001-04:00

Fast food logos turn your judgment inside out

If you're jonesing for junk food, you don't have a craving -- you've been conditioned, plain and simple.

Ronald McDonald, world's most careful and calculated clown, has turned you into one of Pavlov's dogs. He's already taught you how to beg... and if you keep eating his junk, you'll be playing dead, too -- and that's no trick.

A new study shows how the very sight of a fast food logo can send you itching and twitching into an irrational frenzy that can only be cured by some reformed chicken chunks and processed meat patties.

And all it takes is a quick, subliminal flash to change your behavior.

Researchers showed a series of images to students for less than a tenth of second
-- between 12 and 80 milliseconds. Some of the students saw logos for death cafes such as McDonald's, KFC, Subway and Taco Hell, err, Bell.

Then, the students were asked to read some text and choose between two skincare products.

The researchers found that the students who were exposed to -- or infected by, in my book -- the fast food logos were more likely to plow through the text as quickly as possible, and then choose the product that saved the most time.

I'm surprised some of these kids didn't just toss the reading assignment and run right out of the room in search of some processed meat patties or reformed chicken chunks.

The researchers say their study shows how fast food "can have the unexpected consequence of inducing haste and impatience."

I hate to break the news, but the biggest problem with fast food isn't the fact that it causes haste and impatience. It's the fact that it causes heart disease, diabetes and early death.

As far as I'm concerned, the best fast food logo is a rotting corpse.

Speeding away from fast food,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

--

senior issues -carp position

2010-05-17T08:47:00.001-04:00

Generic Drug Pricing Reform
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CARP actively supported proposals in Ontario to dramatically
reduce the price of generic drugs, expand the patient services
provided by pharmacists and eliminate rebates paid to
pharmacists by generic drug companies. Opponents of the reforms
- aware that other provinces could follow suit - stoked fears
about loss of services to seniors by threatening to close stores
or charge for delivery. CARP members expressed definitive
support for overhauling the drug pricing system. Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C441691%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3987793%2CbgVnjbP

In a poll of CARP ActionOnline readers, 91% of the over 3,200 respondents fully supported the proposed changes and condemned the retaliatory action. CARP members' support for the reforms certainly entered the public discourse in a high profile manner when the Minister of Health & Long-Term care announced the poll results during question period at the

The Ontario Government Seeks to Regulate Retirement Homes with a
Noteworthy Bill - CARP Urges Consumer Protection
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A new bill working its way through the Ontario Legislature
promises to regulate retirement homes across the province. With
more than 40,000 retirement home spaces in Ontario and a
population of seniors expected to double to nearly 4.1 million
within 25 years, according to the Ontario Seniors Secretariat
the need for regulation is long overdue. Vice President of CARP
Advocacy, Susan Eng acknowledged, "the proposed changes
recognize the growing need for more care services and
accommodation outside institutional settings and ensures that
the safety and quality of services in retirement homes meet the
standards we would want for ourselves and our loved ones." Read
more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C441691%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3987790%2CbgVnjbP

]While CARP commends the Government for its efforts to ensure that Ontario's retirement homes are safe, secure and provide quality care, the haste with which the Bill is moving through the legislature may be jeopardizing its credibility and the strength of its regulatory framework.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Are we getting value for our Health Care spending?.Not accorfing to the Health index

2010-05-14T08:39:00.001-04:00

Are we , Canadains getting value for our Health Care spending?. The objective report card or index relative to Europe is no. We need improvements . We have A spending levels and C- D results or delivery of front line health care services . If we know that there is a problem -we can fix it constructively My summary of this useful objective information FCPP report - S, (Please pass it on or make comment with your solutions )

http://www.fcpp.org/publication.php/3286

In Brief:

The 3rd annual Euro-Canada Health Consumer Index compares the consumer-friendliness of the Canadian healthcare system to 33 European countries

Canada lags while the Netherlands is tops
Healthcare spending in Canada is comparable to the top-ranked European countries analyzed in this index but Canada still has a weak performance relative to Europe
In Canada, wait times for diagnostic exams such as an MRI can last for months The typical wait time in top European countries is less than one week

Canada showed some signs of improvement in this year's index. Canada made minor improvements in its score in four of the five categories of indicators, with its score remaining unchanged in the fifth category.

Areas for improvement

The greatest weakness of Canadian healthcare remains long wait times. Wait times in Canada for diagnostic exams such as an MRI can last for months; in comparison, the typical wait time in top European countries is less than one week. Wait times for orthopaedic surgeries such as hip replacements are also much longer in Canada than in most European countries.

Patient rights and access to information is another weak point for Canada. Bureaucratic obstacles and long waits often make it difficult for Canadians to access a second opinion about their own medical status, and patient rights are not codified in an explicit legislative guarantee

Access to the newest medicines is also somewhat delayed in Canada compared to Europe. It takes an average of 314 days for newly approved medicines to be entered in to provincial subsidy systems in Canada, compared to less than 150 days in countries like Ireland and Germany.

Action need-summary

"Most importantly, Canadians still face excessively long waiting periods for care. Canada spends as much money as the top performers on healthcare like the Netherlands and Germany, but we haven't been able to match their levels of efficiency. By looking at our own areas of relative weakness and examining European best practices, we can better understand where improvement is most needed and what sorts of reforms are likely to bring about measurable progress."

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com "Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Please hold the line -Dave -on rising healthcare costs

2010-05-13T15:48:00.001-04:00

"This big-money, dirty-tricks campaign is an offensive attempt to manipulate people in my community in an attempt to preserve your profit margins at the inflated expense of those paying for needed medicine," Levac wrote. http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2576307

We need calm thinking with proper and constructive solutions to the pending overinflated health care cost crisis. Venting with the same old "We the priviledged front line rhetoric" is not thinking or giving alternatives or constructive ways of solving the over heated costly( over 48% of the ON budget) health care crisis -a chance. Lets solve it -not yell at each other and besides that why wastefully shoot at or yell at the(your) messenger. His name is not Dalton. The Health Minister is the one who should be listening to your concerns and the constructive suggestions and options you are proposing .

Yes -we can do more,better with less and not at your expense -.If we can flatten out the unnecessary redtape and expensive,wasteful bureaucratic /administrative layers- to good direct front line customer health services. Innovate a workable sustainable solution with your researchers and your customers please.

Sieg (Posted )

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

hidden cost energy

2010-05-10T12:58:00.001-04:00

No longer a benefit for customers
Posted By CHRISTINA BLIZZARD
Posted 5 days ago

Your hydro bill calls it a "provincial benefit." In truth, it's a
sneaky way to hike electricity rates -and pass along to consumers the
high cost of all those costly "green energy initiatives."

Consumers who signed contracts with electricity retailers and thought
they'd locked in their hydro costs are suddenly finding their bills
are skyrocketing -through a line called provincial benefit (PB).

The PB isn't new. It grew out of something called the "global adjustment."

And it's now worth $4.2 billion a year, and growing.

In a nutshell, there was a need to absorb costs for non-utility
generation (basically private power generation) built in the 1980s.
When the market later "opened" it was agreed the old Ontario Hydro
baseload nuclear and some of its hydro assets would also be included
in that adjustment. That morphed into the PB.

When the price of electricity was high, the PB was a negative amount.
Now that prices are low, the PB is soaring to compensate generation
companies -at the expense of people who thought they had guaranteed
electricity contracts.

The reason it's ballooned lately is because of all the massive green
energy contracts -the so-called feed-in tariff programs (FIT) -the
government has been signing on to, said New Democrat critic Howard
Hampton.

They include high-priced solar, biogas and biomass projects.

The suggestion it's a benefit is a "disgusting misuse of the English
language," he said.

The only people who benefit are the people getting lucrative contracts
to generate electricity.

Hampton said the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) should answer to the Legislature.

"The Ontario Power Authority, a body which is completely unaccountable
and can't be called before any legislative committee, has been out
there signing hydro contracts worth billions of dollars. That's not
factored into your hydro rate. But it has to show up somehow, because
we are going to spend billions of dollars for these sweetheart deals,"
Hampton said in an interview.

If you've stayed with your local utility, you don't have that line on
your electricity bill. The utility absorbs it. Only businesses and
consumers who signed up with retailers pay.

As the price of all these green projects increases, so too, will the PB.

"The McGuinty Liberals are going to make Ontario's electricity system
probably the most expensive on the continent with huge repercussions
for businesses and individual consumers," Hampton said.

As costs mount, the PB will become a black hole to hide the soaring
cost of electricity. What is most worrying is the loss of
transparency. When the market opened, your hydro bill was broken down
cost-by-cost: Delivery, generation and retirement of the provincial
debt. Now we have this catch-all PB.

A spokesman for the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
said consumers should be wary of signing retail contracts without
knowing just what they are getting.

"We are trying to provide education and awareness that before you do
sign one of the contracts you should try to understand what it is you
are committing to and look at what you are now paying for versus what
that contract offers," said Terry Young. (Check www.ieso.ca

for more information.)

So beware of signing an energy contract with a retailer. Most of them
only include the market price of electricity. You'll have to pay the
PB on top of that.

In November, then-Energy Minister Gerry Phillips said he wanted to see
more transparency in electricity bills. Let's hope Brad Duguid, who
just shuffled into the energy portfolio, actually does something about
it.

Hey, everyone can dream.

Fwd: Welcome to the latest issue of CARP Action Online!

2010-05-10T12:32:00.001-04:00

a worthwhile read

To view this newsletter in full-color:
http://www.imakenews.com/carp/index000438679.cfm?x=bgQTBLp,bct7jVmF

CARP
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Saturday, April 24, 2010
April 26th 2010
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. HIGH NOON FOR PENSION REFORM
2. BATTLE LINES HARDEN OVER DRUG REFORM PLAN
3. FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY OF
CANADIANS
4. CARP CALLS FOR RETRACTION OF MISLEADING ADVERTISING BY
PHARMACISTS
5. SUSAN ENG TALKS DRUG REFORM ON THE BUSINESS NEWS NETWORK
6. PENSION REFORM - LESS TALK MORE ACTION
7. NEW HEALTH COUNCIL OF CANADA REPORT ON CHRONIC ILLNESS CARE
8. CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME IN MEN, PART II
9. SUSAN ENG ON THE AGENDA TO DISCUSS GENERIC DRUG PRICE CUTS
10. TWO PART PENSION REFORM VIDEO PRESENTATION BY SUSAN ENG
11. FEDERAL FINANCE MINISTER VISITS WINNIPEG FOR MEETING ON
OVERHAULING PENSION PLAN
12. ALBERTA PENSION REFORM CONSULTATIONS
13. ALBERTA PENSION REFORM CONSULTATION PAPER
14. CARP LETTER TO THE ALBERTA MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ENTERPRISE
15. CARP SUBMISSION TO ALBERTA PENSIONS CONSULTATION
16. CARP PRESENTATION TO THE ONTARIO STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
17. CARP IN MANITOBA
18. CARP IN MANITOBA
19. JIM FLAHERTY 'S POSITION STATEMENT ON PENSION REFORM
20. NOVA SCOTIA FINANCE MINISTER GRAHAM STEELE'S POSITION ON PENSION
REFORM

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High noon for pension reform
by JONATHAN CHEVREAU
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It's "high noon for pension reform" and time to move from
debates to decisions, pension consultant Keith Ambachtsheer says
in a widely circulated new report. The president of KPA Advisory
Services Ltd. is pushing for a supplement to the Canada Pension
Plan that would benefit the 75% of Canadians who don't have
employer pensions. His focus on improving prospects for
middle-income Canadians earning $30,000 to $100,000 makes it one
of the leading contenders for reform. Originally published in
The Financial Post April 17th, 2010. To go to the Financial Post
website, please Read more... [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951137%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Battle lines harden over drug reform plan
by VIK KIRSCH
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Battle lines are being drawn in a growing skirmish between
pharmacists and Queen's Park over the Liberal government's
controversial drug reform plan to cut costs to the public purse.
The Financial Post [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951139%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Finance Committee Hearing on the Retirement Income Security of
Canadians
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In late March CARP was back on Parliament Hill to renew its call
for a Universal Pension Plan that would provide a retirement
savings vehicle for the one in three working Canadians who
retire without any savings. At a Committee hearing convened to
discuss the retirement income security of Canadians, CARP
presented its proposals and most recent poll results. Read more
[
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951152%2CbgQTBLp
]

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CARP calls for Retraction of Misleading advertising by
Pharmacists
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TORONTO, ON: CARP calls for Retraction of Misleading Advertising
by Pharmacists which deliberately misquotes a voluntary
chairperson of a local CARP chapter.Bruce Draper, the Chair of
CARP'S Windsor-Essex chapter is inappropriately and without his
consent or knowledge misquoted in a full page ad run in the
Peterborough Examiner today by the people behind www.stopcuts.ca
as saying "The McGuinty Government's health care cuts will hurt
seniors".Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951138%2CbgQTBLp ]

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Susan Eng Talks Drug Reform on the Business News Network
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Susan Eng participated in a panel discussion of so-called
"Professional Allowances" paid to pharmacists. Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951157%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Pension Reform - Less Talk more Action
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If talk is all we needed, then pension reform is all but
accomplished. You can't turn around without someone holding
forth an opinion on our retirement security or insecurity. And
all this talk has brought the industry players to the table with
their own new and improved offerings to help us out. And that's
the good news! Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951143%2CbgQTBLp
]

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New Health Council of Canada Report on Chronic Illness Care
-----------------------------------------------------------------
On April 28, the Health Council of Canada will release the third
bulletin in the Canadian Health Care Matters series. Beyond the
Basics: The Importance of Patient-Provider Interactions in
Chronic Illness Care, is based on an analysis of data from the
2008 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of
Sicker Adults. Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951141%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men, PART II
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In this article I will continue to address CPPS, a serious and
disabling problem that affects many men, with the second part of
my article. Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951142%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Susan Eng on The Agenda to Discuss Generic Drug Price Cuts
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On Tuesday April 22nd, Susan Eng joined The Agenda's Steve
Paikin for a panel discussion regarding recent drug reforms
targeting allowances paid to pharmacists by drug companies. Read
more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951140%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Two Part Pension Reform Video Presentation by Susan Eng
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Susan Eng, CARP VP of Advocacy spoke at to the Ontario
Federation and Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress at a
pension summit held in April 2010. Read more... [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3926123%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Federal Finance Minister visits Winnipeg for meeting on
overhauling pension plan
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Canada's Finance Minister Jim Flaherty visited Winnipeg Monday
as part of a cross-country trek to get feedback on how to reform
Canada's pension plan. Flaherty said that the talks have
implications for all citizens. click here [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951136%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Alberta pension reform consultations
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The Alberta government launched pension reform consultations and
issued a consultation paper that stressed the need for action to
improve Canada's retirement income system. Surprisingly, Alberta
Finance Minster Ted Morton appeared to resist reforming Canada's
retirement income system by suggesting that pension reform
should span a decade. Read more... [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951154%2CbgQTBLp
]

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Alberta Pension Reform Consultation Paper
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To read a copy of Alberta's Pension Reform Consultation Paper,
please click here [ http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951204%2CbgQTBLp Pension
Consultatio paper march 2010.pdf ].

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CARP Letter to the Alberta Ministry of Finance and Enterprise
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To read a copy of the letter CARP sent to Alberta Ministry of
Finance please click here. [ http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3471134%2CbgQTBLp Ted
Morton March 22, 2010.pdf ],

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CARP Submission to Alberta Pensions Consultation
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To read the Submission CARP has made in response to the
consultation paper, please click here [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951155%2CbgQTBLp 2010.pdf ].

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CARP Presentation to the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance
and Economic Affairs
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On April 1st 2010, CARP was invited to comment on Bill 236, An
Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act. Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951156%2CbgQTBLp
]

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CARP in Manitoba
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CARP was invited to the federal pension reform roundtable in
Winnipeg where CARP's proposal for a Universal Pension plan was
presented directly to Finance Minister James Flaherty, Seniors
Minister Diane Ablonczy and Parliamentary secretary to the
finance minister, Ted Menzies. Manitoba finance minister Rosann
Wowchuk was also in attendance. Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C438679%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3951153%2CbgQTBLp
]

_________________________________________________________________
Published by CARP (mailto:support@carp.ca)
Copyright (C) 2010 CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada. All rights reserved.

Discrimination is bad -anykind establishes a bad precedent

2010-05-09T17:58:00.001-04:00

Smokers given the boot... again

One more company is refusing to hire smokers... and somehow, the feds and media are perfectly O.K. with it.

St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, says it won't hire smokers ever again. Candidates for jobs will take nicotine tests... and if they fail, they're out.

Doesn't matter if they only smoke at home, at night, on weekends or once a month at Uncle Al's barbecue -- if they have nicotine in the system, they're not allowed in the St. Luke's system.

The saddest part is that this isn't the first time it's happened... and I'll bet my best cigar that it won't be the last. (Read, "Hospital tells tobacco users: You can't work here.")

Let's think about this for a minute.

Imagine companies that refused to hire blacks, fired all the Asians or told gays to go elsewhere. The media would go to town on them, and the Justice Department would have these people in court faster than you can empty an ashtray.

Not smokers. Smokers have no rights... even when they only smoke in their own homes. Left and right (but mostly left) they're being banned from honest work.

Companies say smokers cost more because they boost the price of health insurance for everyone. Yet they wouldn't dare fire all the fat people, despite the fact that obesity is a much bigger burden on the health care system.

It's time to either end discrimination -- or just bring it all back. If it's OK to send smokers packing, then it should be fine to refuse to hire blacks, Jews, Hispanics, Irish, the handicapped and heterochromiacs.

One or the other -- take your pick. But you can't have it both ways.

A fighter for the lighter,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

--

Worrisome facts about over-medication

2010-05-05T21:46:00.001-04:00

We're drugging ourselves right into the grave... and bad meds are only part of the problem.

A new report finds a shocking rise in the number of hospitalizations due to prescription drug poisonings, and it's not because people are trying to copy their favorite Hollywood has-been.

It's because too many people are being given these drugs in the first place.

Hospital admissions for poisonings due to opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers rose 65 percent between 1999 and 2006, from 43,000 to 71,000. Don't chalk those up to suicides -- those made up barely a third of the total, while accidental poisonings rose by 37 percent, according to the study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Accidental poisoning is now the second-leading cause of unintentional injury and death in 35-to-54 year olds, killing more of them than traffic accidents. Next time you open that pill bottle, imagine you're stepping out into traffic -- yes, it's that bad.

Blame Big Pharma for this -- their push for easy access to dangerous meds has paid off... with doctors who should know better handing out these drugs to people who don't need them.

Back pain? Have a painkiller. Arthritis? Have another painkiller. Stress? Here's some Valium.

Most docs can't be bothered to find the real cause of the pain... and they wouldn't know where to look even if they wanted to. But they do know another prescription will shut the whiners up for 30, 60 or 90 days.

Sound like anyone you know? Sound like you?

Remember, there's no such thing as a safe med -- and if you're playing prescription roulette, it's just a matter of time before you're hit with a side effect, overdose or worse.

If you've got a problem and your doc is just pushing pills at it, find yourself a new doc before you find yourself in the emergency room -- or the morgue.

Popping off on pill-pushers,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

--

Back to Eden communities Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com "Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Johns Hopkins Update - cancer

2010-05-03T18:48:00.001-04:00

-knowledge is power

Subject: Fw: Johns Hopkins Update on Cancer Prevention (a MUST read)

Johns Hopkins Update A Very Good Article

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY
IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins :

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer
    cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have
    multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients
    that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after
    treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the
   cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable
   size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a
    person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer
    cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and
   forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has
    nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic,
   but also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing
     diet to eat more adequately and healthy, 4-5 times/day
    and by including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing
    cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells
    in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can
    cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7.. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars
    and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often
   reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of
    chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor
    destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from
    chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either
    compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb
    to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to
     mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy.
     Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other
      sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer
      cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

*CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made
   with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute
     would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small
     amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in
   color Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the
    gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting
    off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer
    cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based
    diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat,
   like chicken. Meat also contains livestock
    antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all
    harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole
    grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into
   an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked
    food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live
    enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to
    cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance
    growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building
   healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most
   vegetables including be an sprouts) and eat some raw
   vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at
    temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C)..

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high
    caffeine Green tea is a better alternative e and has cancer
    fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or
    filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap
    water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of
      digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the
      intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic
      buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By
      refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes
     to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the
      body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system
      (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals,
     EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy
      cancer cells.. Other supplements like vitamin E are known
     to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's
     normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or
      unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit.
      A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior
     be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put
     the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to
     have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy
     life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated
      environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to
     get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen
      therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer
      cells.

1. No plastic containers in micro.

2. No water bottles in freezer.

3. No plastic wrap in microwave..

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
Please share this with your whole email list.........................

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.

Hotmail & Messenger. Get them on your phone now.

Got a phone? Get Hotmail & Messenger for mobile!

Stay in touch. Get Hotmail & Messenger on your phone.

Hotmail & Messenger. Get them on your phone now.

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Q-jumpers-The Health Myth Busters: B.C.’s New Twist in Delivering Health Care: FCPP - Frontier Centre for Public Policy

2010-04-29T12:39:00.000-04:00

Q-jumpers-The Health Myth Busters: B.C.’s New Twist in Delivering Health Care: FCPP - Frontier Centre for Public Policy

Performance funding - hospitals to get paid for reducing wait lines - no more block funding . --- seems like a solution whose time has come form the Globe and Mail .

B.C.’s New Twist in Delivering Health Care: FCPP - Frontier Centre for Public Policy

2010-04-29T12:35:00.000-04:00

B.C.’s New Twist in Delivering Health Care: FCPP - Frontier Centre for Public Policy

A useful read form the globe and mail

So much about health care doesn’t make sense when you think about it. Taxpayers get exercised when it’s revealed a politician has spent $40 on a bottle of champagne at some dinner yet they demand little accountability around the billions of dollars spent each year on health care. Politicians, meantime, are discovering the obdurate realities of providing a service for which demand is virtually unappeasable.

A novel idea -no more hospital block funding - hospital to get paid on performance delivery that reduce wait lines . What will they think of next ....... wow . QJ

Interesting notes on clean

2010-04-29T08:13:00.001-04:00

Antibacterial madness could be killing us

We're so clean we're filthy. In fact, we're washing our way towards
illness and death.

Triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in soaps, detergents and even
clothing, has been sucking the human endocrine system dry. And as it
goes to work on your body, it's also helping to kill off common
bacteria... while allowing powerful new ones to rise.

What's truly amazing... what's really shocking... what should tell you
everything you need to know about this chemical... is that it's
actually a pesticide, not a soap.

You've probably been washing with it for years, then eating with your
"clean" hands.

The feds now say they're concerned about this chemical... but don't
wait for them to save your skin. The FDA has been working on rules for
the use of triclosan for 38 years -- so if they haven't figured it out
by now, you're on your own.

Here's what you need to know -- what even the feds already admit to:
This stuff is so dangerous it kills fish when it gets into the water.

And it's in the water -- because it's literally everywhere. Triclosan
can be found in everything from clothing to cutting boards. Pretty
much anything with the word "antibacterial" screaming from the label
has triclosan in it.

It's so common it's in the urine of 75 percent of the population.

And yet people keep buying up that antibacterial soap in the mistaken
belief that it must be better. After all, it costs more... so it must
be good, right?

Wrong!

Studies have repeatedly proven that antibacterial soaps are no better
than ordinary soaps.

That shouldn't surprise anyone past a certain age. We grew up without
this stuff, and didn't face anything like the bacterial threat running
rampant today.

So if you're looking to stay clean, just do what we did -- warm water
and plain old soap.

99 and 44/100 percent pure,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

New nurses are just for senior patients - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA

2010-04-15T15:43:00.000-04:00

New nurses are just for senior patients - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA

Seniors represent 25 per cent of all emergency department visits and approximately 50 per cent of all hospitalized seniors are admitted through the emergency department.

Good Hospital News Laughter is good medicine

2010-04-13T10:01:00.001-04:00

Articles Hospital News

Humour and smiles work anywhere including progressive hospitals
http://www.hospitalnews.com/modules/magazines/mag.asp?ID=3&IID=138&AID=1699

Over the years, a multitude of physiological and psychological benefits have been attributed to laughter as “the best medicine.” One study frequently cited seems to indicate that cortisol, the stress hormone, was reduced among participants in a humour program. However, its small sample size of young healthy adult subjects makes it difficult to generalize the results, particularly to pediatric and senior populations.

http://www.gestalt.on.ca/ accepting applications for caring humourists

ALC's - 19% of Hospital population -a bureaucratic nightmare

2010-04-07T09:56:00.001-04:00

This is disgraceful.

In many ways we have a wonderful health system. We have skilled doctors and caring nurses who go the extra mile for patients.

Sadly, to access that care, patients often have to negotiate a bureaucratic nightmare of red tape.

The government has downloaded responsibility for health spending to these faceless LHINs.

At the very time when our parents and grandparents most need their loved ones around them, they are shipped off to an unfamiliar place to die among strangers.

People who have lived and worked all their lives in communities such as these should be allowed the dignity of being cared for close to the family, close to those who love them, in their final days.

This is a heartless bureaucracy gone crazy. You can't ship frail old people out of town just so you can balance the books. christina.blizzard@sunmedia.ca

Emailing: Canada v. Europe on Health Care Europe Wins FCPP - Frontier Centre for Public Policy

2010-03-19T21:08:00.000-04:00

X Close

Canada pulling a "Sir Humphrey" on the Environment file?

All Projects [Home] — Publications • Charticles • Health Care

February 5, 2010 (FC054)

Canada v. Europe on Health Care: Europe Wins

Canada suffers from low healthcare system performance, despite high levels of spending

Canada v. Europe on Healthcare: Europe Wins

Each year, the Frontier Centre which compares the quality of health care services in Canada to that offered in 31 European countries. The Euro Canada Health Consumer Index measures which health care systems meet the expectations and needs of patients.

Unfortunately, Canada has fared quite poorly. In 2009, Canada ranked 23^rd out of 31 countries. In short, the ECHI found that with its long wait times and lack of transparency, Canada’s health care system does not respond as well as the systems which exist in most European nations. Canada’s performance appears even worse when one considers that Canada is among the world leaders in health care expenditures. Of the 32 countries studied for the report, just three countries –Luxembourg, Switzerland and Norway – spend more money per person on healthcare. Due to Canada’s high level of spending and mediocre performance record, Canada scored at the very bottom of the ECHI’s adjusted “bang-for-the-buck” health care quality index.

Source: Euro Canada Health Consumer Index 2009

View as PDF

Upcoming Events

The Sky Is Not Falling – Putting Climate Change on Trial
with Bruno Wiskel, Professional Geologist, Author and Speaker
February 12, 2010 — Calgary

Where Are Aboriginal Affairs in Canada Headed?
with Doug Bland, Professor, Queen's University School of Policy Studies and Author
March 5, 2010 — Winnipeg

Democratization of the Capital Markets
with S. Mark Francis, Business Consultant/ Stock Exchange Advisor
March 24, 2010 — Winnipeg

Canada pulling a "Sir Humphrey" on the Environment file?

Upcoming FCPP Appearances

Climate Crisis or Energy Crisis?
Speaker: Peter Holle, President, Frontier Centre for Public Policy
Date: February 15, 2010
Time: 6:20 speeches start
Place: Mecca Café, cnr Nuffield St and Remuera Rd, Auckland, New Zealand

A climate change forum, chaired by Kath McCabe, with Peter Holle (President, Frontier Center for Public Policy) and Hon Barry Brill (global warming skeptic and former Minister of Energy). Peter will talk about the politics of climate change from a North American perspective, while Barry will discuss whether we should be thinking less about global warming and more about energy security. 6pm, Monday 15 February Mecca Café, cnr Nuffield St and Remuera Rd Free entry, cash bar available. Everyone welcome! Peter will talk about the politics of climate change from a North American perspective, while Barry will discuss whether we should be thinking less about global warming and more about energy security.

What New Zealand can learn from Local Government Amalgamation in Canada
Speaker: Peter Holle, President
Date: February 17, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Buddle Findlay Law Office, State Insurance Tower, 1 Willis Street, Wellington, New Zealand

At various times in Canada there have been moves to consolidate and amalgamate cities in different regions of the country. The reasons given in support of these policies have centred mostly around achieving greater efficiencies from larger economies of scale. But the experience has mostly been negative to mixed. Costs have increased while democratic accountability has decreased. As suggested by the Tiebout Model from the school of public choice economics larger city units have harmed the citizen customer of public services by removing their ability to vote with their feet when choosing the basket of municipal services offered by their local governments. Peter Holle, the founding President of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, a Western Canada based public policy think tank, will review the Canadian experience and discuss the practical realities of amalgamation in Canada in this seminar at the Law & Economics Association of New Zealand (LEANZ). For more details contact: Matt Burgess at matt02@gmail.com

Telecommuting: Being There Without Being There
Speaker: David Seymour, Senior Policy Analyst and Director, Saskatchewan Office
Date: March 3, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (approx.)
Place: Delta Bessborough, 601 Spadina Cres, Saskatoon, SK

Sustainable Saskatchewan Conference Telecommuting is a stealthy alternative to the more conventional transportation solutions which governments often promote. For more details e-mail: alicia.curle@seda.sk.ca

High Performing First Nations - Measuring Community Health and Governance
Speaker: Don Sandberg, Director of Aboriginal Frontiers Project
Date: March 4, 2010
Time: TBD
Place: Westin Hotel, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON

AFOA 10th Anniversary National Conference The Frontier Centre for Public Policy released its third annual Aboriginal Governance Index (AGI) in the summer of 2009. The AGI is a result of surveys conducted in 98 First Nations across the Prairies with over 5,100 on reserve residents. The Index found that three measurements are the best indicators of the overall health of a band: 1) A trustworthy election process; 2) Transparent government and institutions and 3) Competent band administration. The O’Chiese First Nation in Alberta took the top spot on the Index. At this session there will be a discussion of the measurement/indicators that resulted, common indicators among the top ten reserves and what set those communities apart and contributed to their high ranking. Contact Micheline Belanger for more info Phone: 819.827.5031, Toll Free: 866.775.1817 or Email:

Manitoba Policy Blueprint for the Future
Speaker: Peter Holle, President
Date: March 18, 2010
Time: 8:45 a.m.
Place: Winnipeg Realtors, 1240 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg

Booming Saskatchewan is on the verge of matching Alberta's flat income tax. Beleaguered Ontario is pushing to trim transfer payments. Alberta is under pressure to slash public spending and reform healthcare. Sales tax harmonization is happening in most provinces. How can Manitoba avoid being left in the dust in these turbulent times? Frontier's Peter Holle maps out how western Canada's only "have not" province can pull itself out of the slow lane. For more details contact: Shaila Wise at 786-8854 or swise@winnipegrealtors.ca

Transparency and Accountability in the Public Sector - Panel #3
Speaker: Joseph Quesnel, Policy Analyst
Date: March 20, 2010
Time: 4:35 pm (approx.)
Place: John Dutton Theatre - Calgary Public Library

Hosted by the Macdonald-Cartier Society. For more details contact Immanuel Giulea at 514.577.2669 or immanuel@macdonaldcartier.com

Thu February 11, 2010

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Potash	111.12

SmoKe and your loss of individual rights - more underhanded thirdhand hogwash

2010-03-14T11:16:00.001-04:00

Newest tobacco fear reeks of lies

Apparently the secondhand-smoke demons aren't scaring enough people... because in their latest desperate move, the Health Nazis have conjured up a new tobacco monster. They're calling it "thirdhand smoke."

That's right, folks. You can't make this stuff up.

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences claims that smokers create toxic particles that linger long after their cigarette has been snuffed. The researchers are suggesting that smokers carry a little invisible cloud of these particles around with them wherever they go, kind of like that dust cloud that always follows Charlie Brown's friend Pig-Pen.

In other words, smokers are constantly contaminating everyone, everywhere, all the time with their filthy habit -- whether they're actually smoking around anyone or not.

I'm sure you can see where this is going. More rules, more laws, and less personal freedom -- all in the name of health. And sure enough, the researchers claim that the only solution is 100 percent smoke-free places. And to assure a victory, they're pulling out their ace in the hole: the children.

The scientists claim that since these particles linger on floors, walls and furniture, children who crawl around touching everything are in grave danger. Never mind that they can't present a single child -- not one! -- who's ever been harmed by this supposed health risk.

It's pure bunk designed to scare more people away from the healthy use of tobacco.

Don't believe a word of it. The truth is, smoking can save your life -- and I've got all the science to prove it. Click here to find out more. ---- from Douglas Md

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com "Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Brant-Knights of Columbus: Spring is in the air -and it is a time of renewal

2010-03-08T16:05:00.000-05:00

Brant-Knights of Columbus: Spring is in the air -and it is a time of renewal

do it please -dont study it , talk about it -just do it

2010-03-04T12:34:00.001-05:00

A common sense and worthwhile throne speech - the hard part is to make it happen against the entrenched and vested special interest groups who are fattening at the public trough at everyone elses expense.

in reference to: Crime, MPs' pay on the agenda (IS IT THE RIGHT AGENDA?) - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA#postbox (view on Google Sidewiki)

Laughable is correct

2010-03-03T14:45:00.001-05:00

The tempest in the teapot - how is it possible to get input without communicating with those that have a stake in proceedings?

in reference to:

"That's almost laughable," he said. "But let me tell you something: my parliamentary assistant Dave Levac is working very, very hard on promoting the Green Energy Act. He's very committed to promoting economic development in the region of Brant." Duguid at the act has helped attract 16,000 jobs to Ontario with its $7-billion investment, and predicted it will grow 50,000 jobs in green energy over the next three years."
- Levac's boss faces grilling (COMMENT ON THIS STORY) - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA (view on Google Sidewiki)

natural gas bill -green energy bill

2010-03-02T19:00:00.001-05:00

If you have it ,if you control it you should use it,
Great idea - how about it Canada

in reference to:

"We send approximately $700 billion a year to nasty parts of the world for energy and about 70% of what we consume comes from elsewhere. In the meanwhile, we are the best in the world at extracting and moving natural gas and we have so much of it that we've run out of places to store it. HR 1835 would put an end to this madness and put hundreds of thousands of people to work immediately across the nation."
- A Riddle and a Rant The Reformed Broker (view on Google Sidewiki)

Canada Day update

2010-03-02T09:47:00.001-05:00

Canada Day
The olympic spirit should prevail. All service clubs should be involved in making this a great celebration.

A public meeting is planned at knights hall on the 17th of march. Contact us for more information backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com.

in reference to:

"The city will run the show this year, Calnan said, and perhaps even in 2011. The city will put out a request for proposal to run the 2011 show, however, and the hope is that a service club may emerge to fill that role."
- Festivities relocated to Lions Park (COMMENT ON THIS STORY) - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA#postbox#postbox (view on Google Sidewiki)

most expensive healthcare system

2010-03-01T20:49:00.000-05:00

U.S. healthcare most expensive, not best
PARIS (UPI) -- The United States spends more on healthcare -- $7,290 per capita in 2007 -- than any other country, an international ranking found.

The fifth edition of Health at a Glance provides the latest comparable data on different aspects of the performance of health systems in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

The more than $7,000 spent by the United States on healthcare -- 16 percent of gross domestic product -- is almost two-and-a-half times greater than the OECD average of $2,984, or an average of 8.9 percent adjusted for purchasing power parity. France follows the United States in healthcare spending at 11 percent of GDP, Switzerland at 10.8 percent and Germany 10.4 percent.

Japan has higher survival rates for people with cancer than most countries. The United States and Canada have good cancer care, screening more people than most other countries, the report said. However, the United States suffers from worse primary care and preventable hospital admissions for asthma and diabetes are twice what they are, on average, in the OECD, the report said.

Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the OCED in Paris, said the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland and Germany provide good primary care, but no one OECD country provides high quality care in all areas.

"There are opportunities for all countries to improve the performance of their healthcare care system, and making such improvements does not necessarily require higher spending," Gurria said.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Fwd: 2009 Canada Consumer Healthcare Index - Frontier Online

2010-03-01T20:48:00.000-05:00

Dave

On an objective basis, Congratulations are due - Ontario and BC are the best performers in Canada on health care. Well done Sieg

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Frontier Centre <no-reply@fcpp.org>
Date: Mon, Dec 21, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Subject: 2009 Canada Consumer Healthcare Index - Frontier Online
To: siegholle@gmail.com

December 21, 2009 (EM416)

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got . . .

2009 Canada Consumer Healthcare Index

Media Release - Canada Health Consumer Index 2009
How good is your provincial health care? Frontier's annual Canada Health Consumer Index evaluates healthcare-system performance in the ten provinces from the perspective of the consumer. For the second straight year, Ontario and British Columbia finish with the top scores in the CHCI's overall rankings. The Frontier Centre's new Canada-wide comparison of health care is out. You can watch a re-broadcast of Ben Eisen's media conference remarks at www.fcpp.org/livestream.php. (15 minutes)

Canada Health Consumer Index 2009
How good is your provincial health care? Frontier's annual Canada Health Consumer Index evaluates healthcare-system performance in the ten provinces from the perspective of the consumer. For the second straight year, Ontario and British Columbia finish with the top scores in the CHCI's overall rankings. The Frontier Centre's new Canada-wide comparison of health care is out.

Saskatchewan's Surgical Wait Times Rated The Worst In Canada
Frontier Centre in the Media - Ben Eisen is interviewed by the Regina Leader-Post regarding Frontier's release of our 2009 Canada Health Consumer Index. Front page coverage from December 16, 2009.

The Henry Ford of Heart Surgery
Dr. Shetty, who entered the limelight in the early 1990s as Mother Teresa's cardiac surgeon, offers cutting-edge medical care in India at a fraction of what it costs elsewhere in the world. The approach has transformed health care in India through a simple premise that works in other industries: economies of scale. Geeta Anand writes that the Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital models high volume patient care which keeps their operating costs down. Worth a look from the Wall Street Journal.

Frontier Media Appearances

Ben Eisen on Saskatchewan: 2009 Healthcare Consumer Index (CBC) - December 16, 2009
Frontier policy analyst Ben Eisen was interviewed by Garth Materie on CBC Saskatchewan`s Blue Sky about Saskatchewan`s results in the 2009 Healthcare Consumer Index. (9 mins)

Frontier Radio Commentary

Copenhagen Leaves Unanswered Questions - December 18, 2009
If there is anything close to a consensus on climate change treaties, it's that Canadians don't want one. From the Frontier Centre's weekly radio commentary that runs in 3 prairie provinces.

Frontier Channel - Video

Healthcare Consumer Index Coverage (CBC SK) - December 18, 2009
CBC Saskatchewan`s News at Six delves into the findings of the Frontier Centre`s Canada Health Consumer Index. Tuesday, December 16th, 2009 (3 mins)

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healthcare_frontiers

Put a smile on your face

2010-03-01T20:45:00.000-05:00

How many of these can you smile about ?

Murphy's Real Laws, Part I
1. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don't have film.

2. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

3. A day without sunshine is like, well, night.

4. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

5. Back up my hard drive? How do I put it in reverse?

6.I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.

7. When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

8. Seen it all, done it all. Can't remember most of it.

9. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

10. I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

11. He's not dead. He's electroencephalographically challenged.

12. She's always late. In fact, her ancestors arrived on the "Juneflower."

13. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and used against you.

14. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.

15. Honk if you love peace and quiet.

16. Pardon my driving, I'm reloading.

17. Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how it remains so popular?

Murphy's Real Laws, Part II
18. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

19. It is hard to understand how a cemetery can raise its burial costs and blame it on the higher cost of living.

20. Just remember if it wasn't for gravity, we'd all fall off.

21. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

22. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try and pass them.

23. You can't have everything. Where would you put it?

24. Latest survey shows that 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the world population.

25. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

26. The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first.

27. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking.

28. Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.

29. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture.

30. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

31. It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats.

32. Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter since nobody listens.

33.I wished the buck stopped here, as I could use a few.

34. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

35. When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.

36. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

19. It is hard to understand how a cemetery can raise its burial costs and blame it on the higher cost of living.

20. Just remember if it wasn't for gravity, we'd all fall off.

21. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

22. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try and pass them.

23. You can't have everything. Where would you put it?

24. Latest survey shows that 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the world population.

25. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

26. The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first.

27. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking.

28. Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.

29. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture.

30. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

31. It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats.

32. Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter since nobody listens.

33.I wished the buck stopped here, as I could use a few.

34. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

35. When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.

36. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

A New Way to Fight Depression Using Only Your Mind

2010-03-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

A New Way to Fight Depression Using Only Your Mind

Zindel Segal, PhD, CPsych
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Suffering from depression is very different from being sad. Sadness is a normal part of life. Depression is a constellation of psychological and physical changes that persist, unrelenting, for a minimum of two weeks -- and often much longer.

One of every eight women and one of every five men will suffer at least one bout with serious depression at some point in their lives. Genetics seem to predispose some people to depression, though life events can be a factor as well. Seniors who experience losses in physical functioning and social networks can be especially susceptible to bouts of depression.

For those affected, depression often becomes an ongoing issue -- those who have faced it once have a 40% chance of experiencing an episode in the future and those who already have had multiple episodes face up to an 80% chance of additional recurrences.
Depression is most commonly treated with medication that regulates the brain's chemistry and with professional counseling, which helps people take effective action in the face of the low motivation and pessimism that often define depression.

Exciting new tool: In the last decade or so, a new technique has been shown in studies to help sufferers head off depression before it takes hold. The technique is called mindfulness -- paying attention to the present moment, without judgment, in order to see things more clearly.

LIFE ON AUTOMATIC PILOT
Mindfulness can prevent depression from taking hold of us because the alternative -- our usual state -- is that we operate on "automatic pilot." Our minds are elsewhere as we perform mundane activities. Example: You're taking a shower, but wondering what's waiting in your e-mail.

If we let it, this automatic pilot also will select our moods and our emotional responses to events -- and the responses it chooses can be problematic. For instance, if you make a minor misstep in some area of your life, your autopilot might select as your emotional response feelings of anger, failure and/or inadequacy, even though the event might have been completely inconsequential.

Because your mind is not paying full attention to the situation, you might not grasp that the negative feelings are greatly out of proportion to what's really going on. You only know that you feel bad. When these negative feelings persist, they can pull you into the downward spiral of depression.

Example: A friend mentions that one of the stocks in his portfolio has turned a profit. Your investments have not been as successful, and your autopilot selects inadequacy as your primary emotional response. This may sound like an overreaction, but in someone who is prone to depression, these feelings can expand into a full-blown episode.
Mindfulness can be an antidote to automatic pilot. By becoming more aware of the world around us, we experience life directly, not filtered through our minds' relentless ruminations. We learn to see events for what they are rather than what our autopilot might turn them into. That helps us to derail potential episodes of depression before they have a chance to take hold. It typically takes two weeks or longer for depression to fully sink in, so there is often plenty of time to stop the process.

BECOMING MINDFUL
Learning to be mindful involves more than simply paying attention. You must reorient your senses so that you experience a situation with your whole mind and heart and with all of your senses.

Try it out: Pick up a raisin. Hold it, feel it, examine it as if you had never seen anything like it before. Explore the raisin's folds and texture. Watch the way light shines off of its skin. Inhale its aroma. Then gently place it on your tongue. Notice how your hand knows exactly where to put it. Explore the raisin in your mouth before biting. Then chew once or twice. Experience the waves of taste and the sensation of chewing. Notice how the taste and texture change as you chew. Once you swallow, try to feel the raisin moving through your digestive system.

Keep it up: Practice the following three steps every day to make mindfulness a regular part of your life -- and episodes of depression less likely...

1.Focus on your breath. Focusing your attention on your breath is perhaps the simplest, most effective way to anchor your mind in the moment. You think only of this breath. You can do this anytime, anywhere.

2.Watch your thoughts drift by like clouds. See them, acknowledge them, but do not attempt to reason them away. Some people attempt to use logic to escape depression. They tell themselves, My life is pretty good -- I should be happy. This just leads to troubling questions like If my life is good, why am I so unhappy? What's wrong with me?
It is also tempting to try to push negative thoughts away so that you don't have to deal with them at all. Unfortunately, the thoughts are still there even if you refuse to acknowledge them.

Better: When you feel bad, reflect on what is bothering you. Try to uncover the original thought or event that set off your bad feelings. Then view it as just a thought, something independent from you even though it has popped into your head. Do not dismiss it, though. Even if the thought or the event that caused it was trivial, the feelings it has prompted are real and significant.

Next, notice any physical sensations that you are experiencing. Does your throat feel tight? Is your mouth dry? Are there butterflies in your stomach? Just as you are learning to watch your feelings float by, watch these physical sensations in a detached way. If you can learn to spot the onset of these sensations, you will be able to identify the early signs of depression sooner -- and head off the bad feelings before they take root.

3.Take action. Ask yourself: Does this thought have any merit? Is it connected to negative thoughts that I have had in the past? What can I do to make myself feel better about this issue?

Example: You feel depressed about your work life even though you are doing fine in your job. When you reflect on these negative thoughts, you realize that they began recently, when you learned that your brother received a promotion. You feel left behind because it has been some time since your last promotion.

What actions could you take to allay these negative feelings? Perhaps you could speak with your supervisor about your job performance and your prospects for future promotions... or contact a headhunter to remind yourself that you have other options.
With any problematic thought, identifying it quickly and taking some positive action is often enough to head off depression.

Important: Learning the mindfulness approach can be useful for preventing future bouts of depression -- not for combating an episode that is already under way. When people are in the midst of depression, they typically cannot concentrate sufficiently to practice mindfulness. It is better to use the technique between episodes of depression so that it becomes a natural part of your thought process.

WHERE TO FIND HELP AGAINST DEPRESSION
For information about depression and links to local support, contact...
National Institute of Mental Health, 866-615-6464, www.nimh.nih.gov.
National Alliance on Mental Illness, 800-950-6264, www.nami.org.

Get some sun boys

2010-03-01T20:38:00.001-05:00

How sunlight boosts your love life

I've been shedding light on America's sex problems for decades...and now the mainstream is finally coming around.

Toss your dangerous penis pills, because the REAL answer to most cases of erectile dysfunction can be found in a single hormone: testosterone. And a new study suggests that you can get your own bedroom boost by simply stepping outside -- because your testosterone rises and falls alongside your sun-powered vitamin D levels.

But don't count on the sun alone to get your sex life cooking. It might give your testosterone levels a little kick, but it won't be enough for most sexually challenged men.

There's a simple reason for that: As you get older, your body makes less testosterone. It happens to the best of us. Getting fat will also cause your levels to go limp. And if you're fat and old, you're up the creek -- but let me throw you a paddle: Switch to a high-protein diet rich in animal fats, and drop the carbs down to almost nothing.

The protein will give you energy. The zinc in the meat will boost your testosterone levels. And the lack of carbs will help you shed those extra pounds. Add it all up, and you'll be back on track in the sack -- but most men over 50 will need an extra hormone boost to really complete the picture.

Forget off-the-shelf testosterone supplements. Visit a doc who knows something about natural hormones. He can check your levels and top you off the right way: with a series of injections.

Finally, don't be afraid of that big yellow thing in the sky. The media's Chicken Little act over sunlight is out of control -- I actually read an article in the online edition of the St. Petersburg Times that said you should get your vitamin D through sunlight "only with your doctor's approval."

I kept looking for the punchline, but it wasn't a joke.

So consider this your permission slip -- get outside and bask for a few minutes every day. Skip the sunblock and head back inside when your skin turns just a little pink.

The sun won't poison you if you use some common sense, but your food might.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Age myth and health cost exposed to be wrong

2010-02-20T10:36:00.000-05:00

When did longevity become such a bad thing? People are living
longer, yes, but also healthier lives. The healthcare budget is
burgeoning not because we are aging but because everyone is
using the healthcare system more and the treatments are much
more costly. So say the experts. But the myth persists that
aging Boomers will drain the public purse. Read more [
http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=carp%2C422580%2Cbct7jVmF%2C3791910%2CbgBnVyG
]

--
from CARP

Hospital Readmission Epidemic

2009-12-15T04:33:00.001-05:00

Hospital Readmission Epidemic

The last thing anyone wants after spending time in the hospital is a return trip... yet almost one in five Medicare patients who are discharged from a hospital will be back within the month, according to a recent New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) study. For patients with heart failure, it's even higher -- the readmission rate is about one in four.

Why are these numbers so high, and is there anything patients and family members can do to prevent this from happening? I called Eric Howell, MD, associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and chief, division of hospital medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, to ask for advice. Dr. Howell is himself a hospitalist (a physician who specializes in the care of hospital patients), so he has much to say about this problem and how to prevent it from happening.

First of all, he pointed out that some repeat visits are inevitable simply because some patients are quite sick. "Patients with chronic diseases, such as heart failure, diabetes, renal failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are vulnerable to emergency situations which, in turn, can lead to readmission even with the best care," he noted.
Preventable Causes of ReAdmission

Dr. Howell identified several reasons why readmissions often happen and shared advice on what patients (and their loved ones) can do to reduce the likelihood of landing back in the hospital...

Transition plan. A key contributor to the problem of frequent readmissions, in Dr. Howell's opinion, is inadequate preparation for the patient's transition from hospital to home. "Patients typically spend about a half-hour with a doctor on the day of discharge," says Dr. Howell. "But it takes much longer than that for patients to learn how to take care of themselves after a complicated hospital stay, particularly one that is shorter than it used to be, as is the case with many hospitalizations."

What to do: Patients being discharged should understand their medical condition, the related test results, and what they need to do to manage their illness or recovery. Make sure you clearly understand how to take a new prescription, including how to adjust dosages if necessary. Get detailed written instructions on how to carefully monitor aspects of your condition -- for instance, heart failure patients are told to weigh themselves daily and to call the doctor if there is a significant change, because this is a sign of trouble.
Confusion at home. With limited guidance before leaving the hospital, it's common for patients to feel overwhelmed once they get home, most especially those who live independently without others around to remind them what to do. This can lead to mixing up or missing doses of medicines... forgetting specific instructions... problems caring for surgical wounds... and difficulty in performing the prescribed exercises to prevent pneumonia or to speed healing. Also, patients may not recognize early symptoms that should trigger a call to the doctor, so that minor problems don't become major ones.

What to do: If possible, someone else (a friend or family member) should be with you during the discharge discussion to take notes and help you remember the instructions.
Who's in charge? Another issue is that patients don't always know which doctor should be called if a problem arises when they are at home. Since many hospital patients are admitted through the emergency room, it's not unusual that your primary-care physician (and not everyone even has one) wouldn't know you were in the hospital at all. Then, given the increasing reliance upon hospitalists to oversee in-patient care, your personal doctor may or may not have been involved during your hospital stay. So, Dr. Howell says, you can't just assume that your doctor has been updated with your latest information or discharge instructions.

What to do: When you return home, call your doctor, at minimum. Better yet, schedule a visit so he/she can take over your care. Dr. Howell strongly suggests asking your hospitalist to contact your doctor when you are discharged to open up communication and share information about your condition and treatment. "When doctors communicate, there are fewer errors and less likelihood the patient will need to be readmitted to the hospital," notes Dr. Howell.

The Empowered Patient: Take Responsibility
It is less likely that you will have to head back to the hospital if you take steps at the time of discharge to learn how to manage your own care. Dr. Howell provided this checklist of proactive patient steps to facilitate a safe and healthy transition from hospital to home...
From your discharging doctor (or nurse)...

Get a clear and complete explanation of what is wrong... a list of medications you need to take and their dosage instructions, along with information on why each one is important... and details of all other aspects of your care at home, including what you should eat, how wounds should be dressed and so on.
Ask the hospitalist whether he/she has spoken to your primary-care physician -- if not, request that this be done.

Ask about signs and symptoms you should be on the lookout for... learn which ones require a call to the doctor... and find out which doctor you should call (the hospitalist or your personal physician) if a problem does arise.

Make sure you get copies of your discharge summary and your medical records, both of which you then can take to your own doctor at your next visit. (While the hospital will send the discharge summary to your doctor, this can take 30 days -- which can be too long.)
Once home, make an appointment with your own doctor to follow up. Bring all related paperwork, along with the name of the hospitalist who discharged you who can provide more information on your condition and treatment, if that turns out to be necessary. The more information everyone (including you) on your health-care team has, the better off you will be.
Source(s):

Eric Howell, MD, associate professor of medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, chief, division of hospital medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

New Technology to Monitor Health and Safety

2009-12-10T09:13:00.001-05:00

New Technology to Monitor Health and Safety
I'm impressed by some new technologies I am seeing and reading about that have the potential to improve the quality of life for people with chronic health problems -- and most particularly for elderly men and women who want to continue to live independently. I'm talking about devices that measure and track data, such as weight and blood pressure, over time, others that nudge people to take medications or perform physical therapy exercises, and yet others that send an alert to a designated recipient if something seems amiss -- for instance, on a morning when the monitored person doesn't get out of bed or there is a precipitous rise or drop in his/her blood pressure. In worst-case scenarios, a call is placed to 911 so that life-saving help comes quickly.
"Chronic health issues are driving this market and the development of these devices," says Susan Ayers Walker, managing director of the SmartSilvers Alliance and the Digital Health Summit at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, the world's largest annual consumer-technology trade show, where such products are typically introduced.
The field itself is new, but the technology isn't, I was told by Jeffrey Kaye, MD, director of the Layton Aging & Alzheimer's Disease Center at Oregon Health & Science University. He said the real breakthroughs are in the adaptations. For example, products like Life Alert -- worn as a pendant or wristwatch -- already enable seniors to call for help if they fall and can't get up or if another emergency occurs. Now a new product from Grandcare uses motion sensors to get the same result without the need to push a button or wear a device. Another product monitors heart failure patients to measure water retention through weight gain. "Now you can instrument a standard bathroom scale to send a signal to a health professional with simple software that charts a patient's weight within certain parameters," he explains.

Here are some of the technologies currently in use or being developed...
Home monitoring:
Grandcare systems (www.grandcare.com) offers a customizable combination of motion sensors, weight monitoring, prescription reminders, general messages from family and more. The system also gives seniors other reasons to want to interact with it... a TV interface can provide users with updates of photos, local weather, news and more.
Prescription monitoring:
For patients taking several medications but who are not sick enough to require full-time care, MedSignals (www.medsignals.com) monitors up to four prescriptions at a time, records when the pills are taken, and sends information to a designated party (a family member, doctor or other caregiver) to monitor use.
GlowCaps (www.rxvitality.com) are special prescription bottle tops that flash and play music when it's time to take a pill... order refills for you... and send a weekly report on use (caps can monitor when and how often they are opened) to physicians and family members.
Assisted living:
Elite Care (www.elitecare.com), an assisted-living facility in Oregon, uses monitoring technology to help care for its residents, assuming that the patient has granted permission to be monitored. Behavior and cognitive function are monitored unobtrusively to track changes that can signal decline or the onset of disease.
We're Not There Yet...
These products are available but expensive, and at present, few are covered by insurance. Also, standards for devices still are being developed. Add in concerns about privacy (who gets to see this electronic medical information and what can be done with it)... liability (if the system makes a mistake, who is to blame?)... and physician participation (do doctors have the capability to handle all this data?), and it becomes clear that there are still some kinks to be worked out with these systems.
Even so, their time is surely coming. Major companies, such as Microsoft (www.healthvault.com), Google (www.google.com/health), GE, Philips and Intel, are already hard at work on their own plans and products. Industry standards and design guidelines are being developed (www.continuaalliance.org).
Source(s):

Jeffrey Kaye, professor of neurology and biomedical engineering, director, NIA - Layton Aging & Alzheimer's Disease Center and NIA-ORCATECH -Oregon Center for Aging & Technology, Oregon Health & Science University and Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland.
Susan Ayers Walker, managing director, SmartSilvers, www.smartsilvers.com/.

--
Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Merry CHRISTmas

2009-12-08T14:14:00.001-05:00

Have a great holiday by giving of yourself in the spirit of Christ. Help others in need and you will gain true and needed satisfaction.

The rank commercialism -where 40% of total sales are made in one month -loses the original meaning of Christmas . Give of yourself not things please and get back to the original family tradition of good charity and cheer.

in reference to: Blogger: Blogs I'm following (view on Google Sidewiki)

Money is no problem if you are connected

2009-12-01T12:10:00.001-05:00

The Highly Profitable Business of Vaccines

Exactly how the swine flu story will play out remains to be seen, but there is one business sector that may secretly be hoping for the worst -- vaccine manufacturers, that are more than $1 billion richer, a number that will soar far higher if, in fact, the winter outbreak is as bad as many fear.

Halo-worthy as vaccine makers may seem, the truth is that Big Pharma is motivated by more than a desire to save humankind, given the enormous profit potential from a successful vaccine. New blockbuster products and manufacturer-friendly legislation have combined to make the global vaccine market even larger and more lucrative than ever. In fact, the vaccine market is growing even faster than the market for regular pharmaceutical drugs, bringing in as much as $20 billion or more, by some estimates. That's because the markup on vaccines is larger than on pharmaceutical drugs, making them especially profitable. However, as the use of vaccines has expanded exponentially in recent years, so have concerns regarding their safety and efficacy.

Vaccine Risks
Vaccines have enabled us to take major steps forward in public health, virtually eradicating devastating diseases, such as polio and smallpox, says Larry Sasich, PharmD, MPH, an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy in Erie, Pennsylvania. But vaccines are drugs, he points out, and all drugs carry some risks. Though rare, vaccines have been known to cause seizures, brain damage and even death.
In the early 1980s, consumers deluged manufacturers with lawsuits, most especially parents whose children had suffered complications after inoculation with the problematic DTP vaccine (immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, or whooping cough). Fearing the public health consequences if vaccine makers responded by reducing production or pulling out of the market altogether, the federal government passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 to shield manufacturers from liability.

Legislated Protection from Liability
The 1986 act created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), which protected vaccine manufacturers from lawsuits and set compensation standards for people injured by their products. For example, compensation for vaccine-related deaths is limited to $250,000 -- a fraction of what might be awarded by a jury in a civil trial if, say, a child had a fatal vaccine reaction. In truth, this amount of money is like pocket change to drug companies, and they aren't even the ones who must pay up -- the federal government writes the check. This protection may help get important vaccines to market faster, but it doesn't do much to ensure safety, because vaccine manufacturers are shielded from consequences for products that turn out to be problematic or even dangerous.
Also, vaccines are genetically engineered and competitors are forbidden by law from duplicating them. This gives manufacturers a virtual monopoly on their products. Since they never have to face competition, biologic-based vaccines continue to generate big profits for years and years and years.

Gardasil: A Cautionary Tale
Protecting manufacturers this way puts consumers at risk. In 2006, for example, despite sparse data to support its safety and effectiveness, Merck introduced and aggressively marketed Gardasil, a new vaccine designed to protect girls and young women from cancer-causing strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Among their questionable marketing tactics, the firm gave hundreds of thousands of dollars in "grants" to medical associations to develop educational materials promoting the vaccine. Even worse, Merck made substantial campaign contributions to state legislators -- as it lobbied them to make Gardasil mandatory for girls attending public schools.
Yet, this vaccine doesn't vanquish a deadly disease such as polio or smallpox. Rather it protects against four viruses that comprise 70% of the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer -- and even if they've received the vaccine, women still require regular screening for the disease. While study results published in the August 2009 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) note that Gardasil has a safety record in line with that of other vaccines, serious complications (including an increased risk for potentially fatal blood clots) have been reported. Gardasil is also painful and painfully expensive. The three-shot series costs $400 to $1,000, which is only sometimes covered by insurance, and last year brought in $1.4 billion in sales for Merck... amazing, given that there's no evidence yet how long immunity will even last or whether booster shots will prove necessary. Thus far, the vaccine has been successful in preventing HPV infections that precede cervical cancer, but since this type of cancer takes years to develop, only time will tell whether Gardasil protects against cervical cancer itself.

Moving Forward: The Debate Continues
Even in the face of a pandemic, it remains impossible to reach a consensus regarding vaccines and whether they should be mandatory. Consumer advocates argue for greater regulation and higher standards (e.g., for new vaccines and other drugs, medical devices and procedures), while industry insists that government should keep its hands off. As for the vaccine shield protecting Big Pharma from liability, some legislators talk of getting rid of it while others say it should be strengthened.

Dr. Sasich told me that he personally believes that vaccines have the potential to do enormous good for society and that the vaccine shield enables science and technology to move forward faster and more efficiently. While I agree that many immunizations save lives, I am skeptical about some of the more recent entries into the vaccination arena, such as Gardasil. Perhaps manufacturers need a stick as well as a carrot -- financial responsibility for failures as well as windfall profits for success -- to motivate them to ensure that vaccines are safe, necessary and effective before introducing them on a large-scale basis to the American public, much less making them mandatory.
Source(s):

Larry Sasich, PharmD, MPH, pharmacist and assistant professor of pharmacy practice, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy, Erie, PA.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

useful natural remedy information

2009-11-22T12:26:00.000-05:00

Helping to Fight Influenza Naturally

Woodson C. Merrell, MD
Beth Israel Medical Center

ublic health officials are scrambling to prepare for what may be one of the most challenging flu seasons ever. Seasonal influenza, combined with the continuing presence and possible winter worsening of H1N1, is a daunting prospect. Vaccines for both have been developed, but as of this date, the H1N1 vaccine is still in short supply.
If past experience is a guide, as the seasonal flu peaks in January or February, an estimated 50 million Americans will be infected by it, with an average of 36,000 deaths -- and this is not counting the new H1N1 threat.
Prevention is critical. This includes frequent hand washing and avoidance of crowded spaces. The only FDA-approved remedies available for either classic influenza or H1N1 are vaccines and Tamiflu-class medications. Nevertheless, there are principles and practices that can offer immune support and symptom control. The supplements in this article (available online, from health-food stores and pharmacies) may warrant a place in our medicine chest this year as we seek to be as healthy, and flu and cold-free as possible. (Caveat: None of these have been specifically studied for H1N1 flu.)
OSCILLOCOCCINUM
Taken at the first sign of symptoms, this over-the-counter homeopathic remedy has been shown to reduce both the duration and severity of flu.
In a study published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers found that 17.1% of patients with flulike symptoms who took Oscillococcinum (pronounced o-sill-cox-SEE-num) recovered within 48 hours, compared with 10.3% of those taking placebos. Another published study from the venerable Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 confirmed Oscillo's effectiveness in combating the flu.
Particularly for people sensitive to the Tamiflu-class of medications, this is one of the only substances with published effectiveness against influenza.
Important: Oscillococcinum works only when taken within three days of symptom onset.
Dose: One vial of pellets under the tongue, three times daily, for no more than three days. If it hasn't worked by then, it won't.
CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS
These are important aids to help the immune system as it struggles to fight flu as well as colds. Few Western clinical studies have looked at these formulas, but the experience of practitioners in the US as well as a history of successful use for hundreds of years in Asia indicate that Chinese herbals can be both safe and effective at relieving cold and flu symptoms and can shorten the duration of illness.
These products typically contain six to 10 different ingredients, including herbs such as forsythia, isatis, andrographis and astragalus. Some of the components have antiviral effects... others increase immunity... and others address specific symptoms, such as congestion or fever.
Important: Use only formulations that have been produced in the US, which has the highest quality-control standards. Some herbal products imported from China have been found to contain toxic levels of lead or mercury. Good brands include Wellness Formula by Source Naturals and Cold Away by Health Concerns.
Dose: Follow the label instructions. A typical dose is three tablets taken three times daily, as needed.
ECHINACEA
I recommend echinacea for general immune support. The herb fell out of favor when it was reported in a 2005 study in The New England Journal of Medicine that it was no better than a placebo for treating and preventing colds.
However, in 2007, The Lancet published a meta-analysis of studies comparing echinacea with a placebo for preventing or shortening the duration of the common cold. Echinacea was found to be effective. The researchers also discovered that echinacea seemed to reduce the severity of cold symptoms.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that was published in Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics stated that echinacea significantly reduced symptoms when it was taken soon after the onset of symptoms. This finding has been replicated by many other studies.
Echinacea appears to be most effective when combined with other herbs that synergistically strengthen immunity and relieve upper-respiratory infections.
Dose: Follow label directions. I recommend taking echinacea in combination with other herbs, such as black elderberry. Good brands include Esberitox, Insure and Immunotone.
Caution: Don't take echinacea if you have an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's or lupus. It increases levels of TNF-alpha, an inflammatory substance that needs to be lowered in patients with these conditions.
ESSENTIAL OIL INHALATION THERAPY
Inhalation therapy is one of the fastest ways to relieve symptoms of colds or flu. It also can help prevent illness because it kills viruses in the upper-respiratory tract.
When you're in a crowded place (such as a movie theater or an airplane), remove the cap from a bottle of essential oil, such as tea tree oil. Take several sniffs with each nostril. Do this every one to two hours. Tea tree oil's compounds have been shown to have both antiviral and antibacterial effects.
For symptom relief: Pour steaming water into a bowl, along with a few drops of tea tree oil, or any of a number of essential oils (rosemary, oregano or combination products such as Thieves Oil Blend, or even Vicks VapoRub -- a blend of camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol). Drape a towel around your head to trap the steam. Then lean forward, close your eyes and breathe in the vaporized oils. It's the fastest way to relieve congestion and sinus pressure, as well as provide an excellent germicidal effect.
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS
Medicinal mushrooms, including shiitake, maitake and reishi, have been shown to have significant immune-stimulating properties, and people who maintain a strong immune system are far less likely to get colds or flu. Mushrooms are used both preventively and during an illness that challenges the immune system. Unlike many immune-boosting herbs, mushrooms do not seem to lose their effectiveness with prolonged use.
Dose: Eat one or more of these mushroom varieties a few times a week throughout the cold and flu season. Or take a supplement that includes a mushroom blend, such as New Chapter Host Defense.
VITAMIN C AND ZINC
Vitamin C has been shown to be somewhat effective at preventing and treating upper-respiratory infections. A study published in Advances in Therapy in 2002 found that people taking vitamin C had significantly fewer colds than those taking placebos. They also had a shorter duration of severe symptoms -- 1.8 days, compared with 3.1 days for those in the control group.
Zinc oral lozenges often are used to reduce symptoms, including cough, nasal discharge and sore throat.
Caution: Recently the nasal form of zinc in one form of Zicam was shown to inhibit the sense of smell.
Dose: Up to three zinc lozenges daily for maximum of three or four days. For vitamin C, a typical dose is 1,000 milligrams (mg) daily, divided into two or three doses to avoid stomach upset or diarrhea.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Stop fanatic political agendas and correctness actions

2009-11-16T14:17:00.001-05:00

Brant-Knights of Columbus

2009-10-29T09:07:00.000-04:00

Brant-Knights of Columbus Turning pain into gain

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada - Advocacy, Benefits, Community & Zoomer.

2009-10-24T10:55:00.000-04:00

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada - Advocacy, Benefits, Community & Zoomer.: "CARP was quick out of the gate when a news report surfaced that a group of seniors, walking along a city trail as part of their exercise regimen – a regimen they paid someone to conduct, with the warm-up walk just one of several elements – were harassed and photographed by a city bylaw officer. He apparently wanted the organizer to pay for a city permit."

Brant-Knights of Columbus

2009-10-20T12:40:00.000-04:00

Brant-Knights of Columbus -a renewal approach

Incompetence at any level is sickening

2009-10-17T12:34:00.000-04:00

"Health records scandals making all Canadians sick
Posted By LORRIE GOLDSTEIN
Posted 3 hours ago

Nine years ago, the feds and Canada's 13 provincial and territorial governments announced a $10-billion plan to develop computerized medical records for every Canadian.
Federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser will report next year on the progress of the Electronic Health Records (eHealth) project, based on her audit of federal efforts and similar probes by her counterparts in five provinces. But what we already know suggests billions of taxpayers' dollars may have been wasted.
Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter has just issued a scathing report on his province's EHR efforts, concluding the government lost control of the project, which began in 2002, and has spent $1 billion with little to show for it, leaving its future mired in controversy."

Time to fix it or lose it -Pr

ProActive Rants: Sunridge – Back to Eden - A Personal Care Option..

2009-10-13T21:12:00.000-04:00

ProActive Rants: Sunridge – Back to Eden - A Personal Care Option..

B.C. Health Minister supports private care

2009-07-13T16:24:00.000-04:00

B.C. Health Minister supports private care: "B.C. Health Minister supports private care"

The government ended up contracting out many of the procedures to private clinics as a way to catch up. Logic not dogma prevails to help those that need health services OJ

Tobacco Book

2009-07-12T10:37:00.000-04:00

Tobacco Book: "“ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
“ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
Join my biggest crusade yet and get the inside scoop
on the surprising health BENEFITS of smoking...
-a intersting view from contrarian MD Douglas -qj"

Tobacco Book

2009-07-12T10:33:00.000-04:00

Tobacco Book: "“ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
Join my biggest crusade yet and get the inside scoop
on the surprising health BENEFITS of smoking... “ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
Join my biggest crusade yet and get the inside scoop
on the surprising health BENEFITS of smoking..."

worth a read -by the contrarian doctor Douglas QMB

Gmail - What the Gov't Won't Tell You About Health Care Reform - siegholle@gmail.com

2009-07-10T08:15:00.000-04:00

Gmail - What the Gov't Won't Tell You About Health Care Reform -

More on US health reform

Not a good way to save the health system

2009-06-24T09:49:00.002-04:00

Not a good way to save the Heath system

In a blistering letter to Ontario doctors, the group says Hudson must also resign because he's "not competent" to lead the agency's board.

"We are at a crossroads in transformation where one path is carved out by seemingly entitled individuals who appear content to waste hundreds of millions of taxpayers' hard-earned money and who are not held accountable," states the letter signed by president Dr. Douglas Mark.

"Not even the Minister of Health, David Caplan, as he turns a blind eye to the shenanigans of his trusted leaders at eHealth who show up over and over again in various health care organizations with a trail littered with costly programs but questionable results."

Hudson hasn't returned calls for comment.

EHealth, which is tasked with creating electronic health records in Ontario, has ignited a political storm for questionable spending and awarding nearly $5 million in untendered contracts.

Sarah Kramer was abruptly removed as president and CEO on Sunday amid the furor over eHealth, which allowed consultants who were paid about $2,700 a day to bill taxpayers for minor purchases like tea and snacks.

This is sad and we wonder who is in charge and if there is anu accountability OJ

Genetics -Future medicine trend?

2009-06-05T13:08:00.003-04:00

Your Doctor Is Wasting Your Time... and Your Money
By Rob Fannon, editor, Phase 1 Investor

I'd like nothing more than to fire my doctor...

Anyone else sick of scheduling appointments, only to wait for 30 minutes (or more) before hearing your name called? Then, if you're lucky, you get 10 minutes with a harried physician who shares nothing you didn't already know. When did doctors cease being healers? Most are nothing more than informed technicians, cranking through protocols and patient numbers to make ends meet.

I don't need a doc to check my blood pressure, take my temperature, rub my lymph nodes, and hand me an antibiotic... for whatever ails me.

I prefer the do-it-yourself model.

The secret to good health is information, discipline, and prevention – in that order. A discerning eye can gather more than enough qualified information on the web for any and all medical conditions. And of course, with enough self-discipline, diet and exercise are always the best prescription for most health-related matters. No two steps do more to prevent illness.

Still, all the web surfing, whole-grain bread, and wind sprints in the world can't trump one element of our health and wellbeing: our genes.

The next frontier for medicine is genetics. As patients, we can look forward to knowing which diseases are in our future based on a genetic fingerprint. Armed with a readout mapping our DNA and forecasting the medical conditions we'll likely encounter, we can fire the family doctor and head straight to the specialist who can actually cure us.

As investors, we've got to realize this day is coming faster than we may have thought...

Of course, not every genetics wonder-company is investable. Take my experience last summer, for example. For $1,000, I shipped my DNA to Iceland. There, scientists at deCODE Genetics (DCGN) scanned my genes to determine my risk of various cancers, heart-related disorders, brain diseases, as well as oddball tests for male pattern baldness and alcohol-flush reaction.

But the whole thing was a bit of a letdown. Most of the results were too vague. And based on my family history, I already know I have European ancestors, a thinning hairline, brown eyes, and a "slightly elevated" risk for many diseases. Obviously, I can't fire my doctor quite yet.

Without a sufficient payoff, expensive testing services like deCODE's won't attract meaningful numbers of customers. Patients – and the insurance companies that will foot the bill –need clear, definitive answers that have an immediate use in order to pay for such tests.

That is the key to making money in personalized medicine today. And that's what I look for when I make an investment in the "personalized medicine" boom...

One of my favorite companies in this sector – one I think has done it "right" – is Genomic Health (GHDX).

Genomic Health's Oncotype DX test measures the aggressiveness of breast cancer via a molecular snapshot of the tumor. Based on the results, patients and doctors make informed decisions about whether or not to pursue grueling and costly chemotherapy treatment.

Results Are in from Iceland
Why You May Never Take a Regular Drug Again
Most important, Oncotype DX offers an appealing cost-benefit proposal for insurance companies. These payers are more than willing to shell out $3,700 for the test if it reduces the number of $35,000 chemotherapy treatments they pay for.

Clear, definitive answers that result in an immediate action plan... that's the winning formula for genetic-screening services. It's why deCODE is headed for bankruptcy and why I think Genomic Health is a bargain today...

Great assessment and a hopeful future solution to the current care crisis QJ

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada

2009-06-01T11:41:00.001-04:00

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada: "Make Predators ExtinctMake Predators Extinct"

Dont be a victim -fight back QJ

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Larry Elder
Predator: n.
1. An organism that lives by preying on other organisms. 2. One that victimizes, plunders, or destroys, especially for one's own gain. In the wild, predators use jaws and talons. In the human world, predators use trust and influence

Elder Abuse

2009-06-01T11:21:00.002-04:00

We have taken several steps to address this very serious issue.

For example, in March 2007, our Government established the National Seniors Council to provide us with advice on all matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors. The first priority given to the Council by our Government was to examine the serious issue of elder abuse in Canada. After a year of extensive consultations with seniors, community and social groups, as well as other concerned Canadians, the Council released its report on elder abuse. It clearly outlined the magnitude of the problem of elder abuse in its many forms, including physical, financial, psychological, sexual and neglect.

Our Government fully understands that this is a complex problem that cannot be solved by one level of government or one organization. We recognize that combating elder abuse requires all of us to do our part to stop such unspeakable mistreatment. That is why, at the federal level, we are increasing our efforts.

We have introduced the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative, under which we invested $13 million over three years to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, and also to provide information on what support is available. A key element of that commitment includes a national public awareness campaign, which we will be launching very soon.

The ministers promise to CARP - lets see if she can deliver OJ