The Elderly Crisis – Babysitting Grandma September 2, 2008

So, we have solved some of the world’s problems with nannies and caregivers.  What will we do with our parents in their elder years?

Home care is a rising trend among mature adults who require regular medical care and other assistance, but do not need the level of aid offered by hospitals and/or nursing homes. In other words, home care is for individuals who need basic medical assistance that can be provided by a professional in the comfort of their own home. For many, this is a popular alternative to having to leave their home and/or family behind, and it’s also a more economical choice in that it’s less expensive than some other healthcare options.

If you or someone in your family is considering the option of home care, it may help you to know that agencies providing this type of service are plentiful. From privately owned agencies to those offering care directly from hospitals, home healthcare professionals are trained to help individuals who desire professional care with all the comforts of home.

So, we have solved some of the world’s problems with nannies and caregivers.  What will we do with our parents in their elder years?

Home care is a rising trend among mature adults who require regular medical care and other assistance, but do not need the level of aid offered by hospitals and/or nursing homes. In other words, home care is for individuals who need basic medical assistance that can be provided by a professional in the comfort of their own home. For many, this is a popular alternative to having to leave their home and/or family behind, and it’s also a more economical choice in that it’s less expensive than some other healthcare options.

If you or someone in your family is considering the option of home care, it may help you to know that agencies providing this type of service are plentiful. From privately owned agencies to those offering care directly from hospitals, home healthcare professionals are trained to help individuals who desire professional care with all the comforts of home.

It is estimated that approximately 80% of seniors prefer in-home care as opposed to that offered in a nursing home or hospital. When choosing whether or not home care is right for you or someone you love, it’s important to consider the level of care that’s needed. For instance, some may choose 24-hour care, which requires a home care professional staying with the individual day and night in his/her home, while others may only need assistance during the day. For seniors who feel frightened or lonely at night, hiring a home care professional for these specific hours may also be a consideration.

 

Coping With Young Children’s Social Phobias August 31, 2008

Social phobia has a tendency to begin during adolescence, but can develop much earlier. The onset of social phobia during one’s formative years can have a devastating effect on their social development. If left unchecked it can lead to serious psychological problems in later life, maladjustment, agoraphobia, depression and even suicide.

The symptoms of excessive shyness and acute self-consciousness are relatively easy to spot:

If the child speaks very softly and says very little or if they shy away from eye contact;

If they often cry or throw tantrums;.

If they are unwilling to participate in classroom activities;

If they feign illness in order to avoid having to go to school;

If they are constantly alone in the playground, not joining in, or if they spend a lot of time alone in their room, there is a strong possibility that they have social phobia.

It is important not to disregard a child’s anxiety by simply telling them they’ll grow out of it. Fortunately there are many positive things parents, teachers and family members can do to encourage a socially anxious child. The most important thing is to gently encourage them to confront their feared situations a little bit at a time, never pushing them too hard.

Parents can share with their child examples of times when they have felt anxious in social situations. This way the child will feel supported and know that they are not alone in feeling the way they do. Also parents can make a conscious effort to nurture their child’s self esteem, paying them compliments and being openly affectionate.

It is important for teachers to be mindful of not doing anything to embarrass or humiliate a child and to insist on a humiliation-free environment in the classroom. They can encourage a friendship between a shy child and more outgoing child. Also they might reward any small step a socially anxious child makes to be more outgoing or participatory in class, later gradually requiring the child to do more to earn the reward.