These are the 12 questions you will want to consider before you are released from the hospital back to your home. They cover issues of accessibility, mobility, and the continued level of care you will need to help speed your recovery.

1. Who decides when I can return home?

While you are in the hospital, the medical staff considers your needs and decides to which setting you will be released. If you are able to recover without a lot of extra assistance, you are returned to your home. In situations where more care is needed, a patient may be moved to a rehabilitation hospital (where intensive therapy is available) or to a skilled nursing facility (where some therapy is available).

2. How do I know if the rooms in my home will be accessible to me?

In planning for your release to your home, the home setting needs to be evaluated to determine which rooms are accessible and which are not. You may need for a therapist on staff to inspect your home for safety and suitability before you return there. For instance, the number of steps into the house is important to know and, also, if there is a second floor.

3. Will a wheelchair or a walker fit through the doors in my house?

If you are using a wheelchair, the width of the chair needs to be measured against the width of the doorways to the rooms that you will use. Measure each doorway. Even though you may have a single-story home, you may find that there are some rooms you cannot get to if the doorframes are not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Even if your whole house is not accessible to you, you may be able to use the rooms that you need, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom.

4. What changes in my house do I need to make to use a wheelchair or a walker?

Have someone do a walk-through to see if there are any obstructions that would impede getting from room to room. Check for throw rugs or mats that would slow down a wheelchair or a walker, or that might make it a little more difficult if you are still a bit unsteady on your feet. If you are using a wheelchair, allow enough room between the bed and the wall so that the chair can be next to the bed to assist you in getting in and out of bed.

5. Will my bathroom need to be modified?

If the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible, you may need help from someone in order for you to walk from the doorway to the toilet, or you may need to rent a commode chair and place it in another area of the house until you are steadier on your feet. It may be that the bathroom is accessible, but you need a raised toilet seat and grab bars next to the toilet so you can get off the toilet safely. You may need a chair for inside your bathtub or shower. Find out if you will be able to reach the bathroom and kitchen sinks in the house or if you will need assistance.

6. Will I need a hospital bed for use at home?

If your bedrooms are on the second floor, you may need to use a hospital bed on the first floor until such time that your mobility improves and you can handle the stairs. The hospital bed may be a more comfortable choice since its height can be adjusted for ease in getting in and out of the bed.

7. Will I be able to use my telephone and television?

You will need to be able to reach the telephone, so you may need a longer cord and a lower table for the telephone. The television needs to be in a location where you can watch it, so it may need to be moved and you may want to find an easy to use (larger numbers and buttons) remote control.

8. What kind of activities can I continue to do?

There are other issues having to do with mobility and accessibility that will depend on your particular lifestyle, so think of what a typical week or month would be like for you. Figure out who will be able to help you get to appointments, if necessary. If you attend religious services and you need help getting there, find a friend who will pick you up and bring you back.

9. What if I need extra help with bathing, for instance?

Depending on your needs, you may have someone stay with you to provide help. A home health care aide may be available through home health services to come in and help with bathing, grooming, and dressing. Find out the extent of your insurance coverage for these services. You may also receive physical, occupational and/or speech therapy through the home health agency.

10. Can I get someone to help me prepare meals?

In addition, you may need help with chores, meal preparation, and shopping. You will need to find out who can help you with these tasks. In some areas, your county may have in-home help available if you meet the income requirements. The discharge planner at your hospital will know about resources available in your local community. Also, you may be eligible for Meals-on-Wheels for a period of time: confirm how many meals per day and for how many days you can receive this service. Please remember, Meals-on-Wheels is usually an out-of-pocket charge, meaning you pay for this service without reimbursement from your insurance company.

11. My finances are a mess. What can I do?

You will need to take care of your financial issues and money management. If you are not able to handle the mail, paying bills, and banking, find someone who can help you. It may be a family member, a friend, an attorney, or other fiduciary that you choose.

12. Will I be able to keep my pets at home?

If you have pets—dogs and cats are especially good for promoting one’s well-being and recovery—be sure to have details available regarding your veterinarian, boarding facility, and who will pet-sit in an emergency or as a favor. Your favorite pets by your side may be the best part of being home. Be especially careful navigating around your house if you are using a wheelchair or walker and your pets tends to get underfoot—this could cause an injury to you or to your beloved Pets. Also, you need to store the pet food where you can reach it if your mobility is impaired.

Remember, planning ahead will made your recovery go more smoothly and you will experience less frustration if you have planned for your particular needs and restrictions. Your home may not be fully accessible to you right away, but with modifications and planning, you may have the comfort you need to help you feel much better.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/12-important-questions-home-from-the-hospital-615963.html

These are the 12 questions you will want to consider before you are released from the hospital back to your home. They cover issues of accessibility, mobility, and the continued level of care you will need to help speed your recovery.

1. Who decides when I can return home?

While you are in the hospital, the medical staff considers your needs and decides to which setting you will be released. If you are able to recover without a lot of extra assistance, you are returned to your home. In situations where more care is needed, a patient may be moved to a rehabilitation hospital (where intensive therapy is available) or to a skilled nursing facility (where some therapy is available).

2. How do I know if the rooms in my home will be accessible to me?

In planning for your release to your home, the home setting needs to be evaluated to determine which rooms are accessible and which are not. You may need for a therapist on staff to inspect your home for safety and suitability before you return there. For instance, the number of steps into the house is important to know and, also, if there is a second floor.

3. Will a wheelchair or a walker fit through the doors in my house?

If you are using a wheelchair, the width of the chair needs to be measured against the width of the doorways to the rooms that you will use. Measure each doorway. Even though you may have a single-story home, you may find that there are some rooms you cannot get to if the doorframes are not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Even if your whole house is not accessible to you, you may be able to use the rooms that you need, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom.

4. What changes in my house do I need to make to use a wheelchair or a walker?

Have someone do a walk-through to see if there are any obstructions that would impede getting from room to room. Check for throw rugs or mats that would slow down a wheelchair or a walker, or that might make it a little more difficult if you are still a bit unsteady on your feet. If you are using a wheelchair, allow enough room between the bed and the wall so that the chair can be next to the bed to assist you in getting in and out of bed.

5. Will my bathroom need to be modified?

If the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible, you may need help from someone in order for you to walk from the doorway to the toilet, or you may need to rent a commode chair and place it in another area of the house until you are steadier on your feet. It may be that the bathroom is accessible, but you need a raised toilet seat and grab bars next to the toilet so you can get off the toilet safely. You may need a chair for inside your bathtub or shower. Find out if you will be able to reach the bathroom and kitchen sinks in the house or if you will need assistance.

6. Will I need a hospital bed for use at home?

If your bedrooms are on the second floor, you may need to use a hospital bed on the first floor until such time that your mobility improves and you can handle the stairs. The hospital bed may be a more comfortable choice since its height can be adjusted for ease in getting in and out of the bed.

7. Will I be able to use my telephone and television?

You will need to be able to reach the telephone, so you may need a longer cord and a lower table for the telephone. The television needs to be in a location where you can watch it, so it may need to be moved and you may want to find an easy to use (larger numbers and buttons) remote control.

8. What kind of activities can I continue to do?

There are other issues having to do with mobility and accessibility that will depend on your particular lifestyle, so think of what a typical week or month would be like for you. Figure out who will be able to help you get to appointments, if necessary. If you attend religious services and you need help getting there, find a friend who will pick you up and bring you back.

9. What if I need extra help with bathing, for instance?

Depending on your needs, you may have someone stay with you to provide help. A home health care aide may be available through home health services to come in and help with bathing, grooming, and dressing. Find out the extent of your insurance coverage for these services. You may also receive physical, occupational and/or speech therapy through the home health agency.

10. Can I get someone to help me prepare meals?

In addition, you may need help with chores, meal preparation, and shopping. You will need to find out who can help you with these tasks. In some areas, your county may have in-home help available if you meet the income requirements. The discharge planner at your hospital will know about resources available in your local community. Also, you may be eligible for Meals-on-Wheels for a period of time: confirm how many meals per day and for how many days you can receive this service. Please remember, Meals-on-Wheels is usually an out-of-pocket charge, meaning you pay for this service without reimbursement from your insurance company.

11. My finances are a mess. What can I do?

You will need to take care of your financial issues and money management. If you are not able to handle the mail, paying bills, and banking, find someone who can help you. It may be a family member, a friend, an attorney, or other fiduciary that you choose.

12. Will I be able to keep my pets at home?

If you have pets—dogs and cats are especially good for promoting one’s well-being and recovery—be sure to have details available regarding your veterinarian, boarding facility, and who will pet-sit in an emergency or as a favor. Your favorite Pets by your side may be the best part of being home. Be especially careful navigating around your house if you are using a wheelchair or walker and your pets tends to get underfoot—this could cause an injury to you or to your beloved pets. Also, you need to store the pet food where you can reach it if your mobility is impaired.

Remember, planning ahead will made your recovery go more smoothly and you will experience less frustration if you have planned for your particular needs and restrictions. Your home may not be fully accessible to you right away, but with modifications and planning, you may have the comfort you need to help you feel much better.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/12-important-questions-home-from-the-hospital-615963.html

Being a mother and still wanting to work can irritate many women, but working from home is becoming easier. The internet is a great source that supplies numerous amounts of business opportunities.

There are many franchises available which are perfect for mothers stuck indoors. Here is a list of the top ten franchises that allow mums to work from home.

1. American Billing Systems

This is a source for doctors; your job will be filing medical claims. Access is 24 hours a day, and seven days a week giving around the clock access to suit your needs. This easy system allows you to be a mother and still earn some cash. Training and support are offered, and financial support is available if needed. Total capital investment for American billing Systems is $14,990. The liquid capital required is $7,490.

2. Vendstar Vending Machine

This is a wonderful business opportunity for stay at home mums. It is what it says, a vending machine business; even your children may be able to help you out with this one, it could be their way of earning a bit of pocket cash themselves! Training and support are offered, the minimum investment to become part of Vendstar Vending is $5495.

3. Pet Butler

The Pet Butler franchise involves the cleaning up after Pets. This is another great franchise chance to grab hold of for those mums stuck at home. Training is offered along with any support needed. Total capital investment is $41,900-$81,500 and the liquid capital investment is between the figures of $15,330-$21,990.

4. Decor & You Interior Design Decorating

If you are a mum at home and have a spark for design then Decor & You is the perfect franchise opportunity for you. Financing support is unfortunately not offered but training is fully covered. For Decor Designers the capital requirement is $47,500-$76,000, and $132,000-$147,000 for the regional director.

5. The Back Rubber Vending Massage Chair

Here the massage chairs do all the work, all you are asked to do is pop by every so often to remove the money. This is a great way to earn for stay at home mums, and the kids may enjoy the chairs too! Total capital investment is $7495. Training and support are covered.

6. Cruise Planners Travel

Working from home and planning cruises is what this franchise consists of. The client database is top secret; you own your own business. Full training is given and support offered. The franchise fee is $9995; total capital investment is $9995-$19,950.

7. Press a Print

This franchise offers the possibility of making money quickly whilst working at home. This can be organised by mum, a couple or even the kids can help out. Total capital is $10,000-$33,000 with liquid capital less than $4000. Training is offered.

8. Carpet Sculpture Gallery

This is not only easy to run but also easy to make money. You buy the supplies as you go and training is offered. Total capital investment is $35,000 and liquid capital is £30,000. Required Net is $100,000.

9. Eliza j Porta Potty

Perfect for functions, for example, weddings. Eliza J is an easy fun to run business, which home bound mums, will love. Capital investment is $64,700-$112,400. Liquid capital is $25,000. Training and support are at hand along with third party financing.

10. Infinite Marketing Video Business Card

This franchise asks for a capital investment of $14,900. Financing is not offered but training and support are covered. All this business consists of is a video business card distributor.

James Copper
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/ten-great-franchises-for-work-at-home-mums-503060.html

When the marketing of your work at home based business opportunities needs a quick and targeted contacts, which additionally can be personalized, the email is the tool for this bypassing the intermediaries. And it is interactive. If you have segmented your address book, you can personalize communication for each separate segment, plus discuss with the prospects or customers in real time. This has a tremendous effect on the campaign results.

One of the challengies the work at home based business opportunities marketer has is how to segment the email address book? Now if you think the whole process with the eyes of the customer, the answer is: according to the customer behaviour. Are they newbies, once bought customers, repeated customers or customers you know by name, or just passive names on the list, just to name a few alternatives. Now it is easier to plan, how to communicate with them, because you can offer, what they possible need.

One thing is sure: the more personalized communication you have and the more of your customers you know by name, the more profitable is your communication. I understand that in the email marketing, the quality beats the quantity, i.e. send seldomly, but more qualitatively and personally!

Finding out who your target audience, the segment, is, make an initial small subscriber list, determining when and how often you wish to send emails, identifying your major promotional goals, sending a few test emails and analyzing the results for future adoption or modification are usually considered to be important. But what is cardinal for the success of your work at home based business opportunities is the design of the email itself. The content matters.

What to include in your campaign? The subject and the very first line of your email will make or break your customer- relationship. Make them short, simple and seductive. People are tempted to open emails only when the subject line holds enough punch. It must include a clear promise, a benefit, to the reader. Emails, like skirts, should be long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to be interesting.

The nature of email is that it is short and easy to read. It comes through the internet, it is very actual and shouts your attention right now. While a brief introduction to you and your work at home based business opportunities will be welcome, what actually rivets the attention of readers is your focus on customer benefits. A small incentive or discount to the first few customers may be offered, for instance. Or, offer useful information that interests the reader.

You see, the clearness is important, as in all communications. If you have several points to tell, instead of running them in a single paragraph, present them one by one highlighting them with bullets. Graphics and photos will definitely embellish your campaign and attract the customer attention. Incorporating links to your work at home based business opportunities pages is like providing a life line for your home business.

The core job of the email is not to sell, but to presell. That means that the selling happens after the reader has clicked the hyperlink and landed to your salespage. It is preferable to provide direct links to your internet home based business – website pages where the customer can readily find the listings of your products and services rather than give a link to your home page.

Keep it simple The basic principle is to make everything as easy as possible for the customer to get hooked to your home business proposition. Also, put in place a privacy policy that assures your customers that their personal information will not be revealed, sold or misused. Despite your best efforts, however, if the customer would want to unsubscribe, give him the facility. Finally, include all possible contact information along with your signature: name and address, telephone number, email address, fax number etc. As you see from the text above, the email marketing needs its own planning but offers a very powerful tool for your work at home based Business opportunities campaign toolbox!

Juhani Tontti
http://www.articlesbase.com/online-promotion-articles/how-work-at-home-based-business-opportunities-use-email-marketing-252718.html

Work at home business scams are becoming more prevalent these days because of the increased popularity of home based jobs. It is sad to see people falling into the trap to such Cons and usually these Cons are pointed at working from home moms, the elderly and also disabled people. If you are looking for a work at home career, then you must know how to determine these scams and avoid becoming a victim.

Here are some examples of some work at home business scams:

Scam #1: Envelope Stuffing
This is the classic con which many of us has come across at least once in the past. You see an advertisement or a junk mail announcing that you can gain $1-$2 for every envelope you stuff. Sounds like you can earn money easily, right?? Think again. Most of the time, you need to pay a start-up fee of somewhere $30 or more to join the envelope stuffing program. When you receive the start-up package, you realize that the instruction tells you to spread the word about this envelope stuffing business, then you will get paid. The trick is that they want you to help in earning the start-up fees by sending out the same junk mail you received in the first place. The trick is to get your start-up fee (your money!) first before you realize how this home based business scam really works.

Scam #2 : Processing Medical Bills
This home business scam requires you to pay anywhere from $300 to $900 for the tools you need to start your own medical billing service at home. They will promise you some advanced billing software as well as a list of would be clients in your neighborhood. Don’t you think that most medical institutions would process their own medical bills or outsource the processing to a legitimate company, instead of individuals with no experience or knowledge whatsoever? When the package arrives (if it ever does!), you will find that the software is not up-to-date or does not work at all and the list of customers is just plain wrong. Chances are you will never be able to get a refund..

Scam #3 : Craft Assembly
In this home based business scam, you are told you will be given an extremely huge amount of money for every toy, doll, jewelry or other craft item you assemble at home. In order to start, first you are required to pay a start up fee to receive a starter pack which includes instructions and parts. When you are done assembling the product, you are told by the company that they do not meet their specifications therefore you will not get paid for it. Actually you will never be able to reach their expectations because the scam gets money by selling the starter packs. At the end of the day, you are left with a bunch of unwanted products cluttering up your home.

Scam #4 : Data Entry
There are numerous advertisements and postings for data entry opportunities on the Internet and even on online employment sites. All you need to do is just pay $10 to purchase a training package and they would send you all the training materials. You should also see that the job scope is normally very blurry and no prior experience is required. The “job description” is usually that you will need to mail out advertisements and brochures similar to the one you received to other unsuspecting victims. Once they pay up the $10, then you will get half of the money and the person who recruited you will receive half as well.

Scam #5 : Email Processing
This scam is actually similar to the classic envelope stuffing scam stated above. Typically you will be required to pay an upfront fee of about let’s say $49.95 to receive an instruction manual and an email distribution list. The instructions will inform you how to process the emails and you will supposedly get about $25 for each email processed! Seems like the ideal work at home opportunity, doesn’t it?? Wrong! The instructions they send you are actually on how to spam other people’s emails with the same advertisement which motivated you to pay $49.95 in the first place. Then when another unsuspecting person (like yourself) takes the bait and pays $49.95, the spam company will (maybe) pay you your $25.

Ask yourself, is that the kind of work at home job you want to invest your precious time doing? Is it ethical? Is it legal? You are actually associating yourself with a con if you join such work at Home business scams, which disguise themselves as genuine opportunities. One thing working from home moms should know is that there is no shortcut to success. Yes, sometimes with luck you can get there speedier than others but most of the time, it takes lots of effort and then some.

Stella Parks
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/home-business-scam-watch-out-for-these-latest-scams-532052.html

This past Saturday afternoon my family and I were enjoying the great weather with our friends and neighbors while doing some much needed yard work. The kids were playing, our dogs were out and about. I noticed two police vehicles driving slowly up the road towards us. When they saw us outside they asked “Everything OK?” They went on to explain that there has been a string of Home invasion burglaries in our community recently. As a result, they were stepping up patrols in hopes of catching these guys.

Later that night on the local news the main story was about the recent home invasions. In less than a week 4 different home invasions took place between 2pm and 8pm only miles from my home. In all cases the criminals made their move as the victims were coming home from work. They approached the vehicle, forced the victim out at gunpoint and into the home. Once inside they tied up the homeowners took their cash, gold, diamonds and other valuables.

Needless to say this was extremely eye opening to myself and neighbors. So what can we do to protect ourselves from home invasions?

• Keep your doors and windows locked at all times.
• If you have a alarm system, keep it armed day and night. If you don’t own an alarm system, consider investing in one.
• Never automatically open your front door. Make sure you know your caller’s identity before letting him in.
• If the person at your door is a stranger, ask for identification to be passed under the door. Then call their business to verify who they are and what they are there for. If he is unable to provide identification do not admit him and call 911 immediately.
• It is advisable to have a wide angle viewer (peep-hole) in the door so that you can check a person’s identity without unlocking your door.
• All doors in your home leading to the outside should have dead-bolt locks. A must for robbery prevention.
• When away at night, leave a light burning.
• Do not leave a key over a door or under a mat.
• The single lock on a garage door is inadequate to keep home invaders from prying up the opposite side and crawling in. Use a padlock. But never leave it unlocked. This is an invitation to have the padlock removed so that a key can be made, and the lock returned to its position. Later, the burglar returns when no one is home and enters at his leisure, using “his” key.
• Mark your valuables and keep an accurate record of all your most valuable possessions.
• When leaving on a trip: A. Stop all deliveries. B. Connect a light to a timer. C. Notify the police and have a neighbor check your home periodically. D. Have someone maintain your lawn.
• Be a concerned neighbor. If you see a suspicious person, car or situation, contact the police.
• If you live in an apartment building with an intercom system to the front door, make sure the landlord keeps it in operating order.
• Never admit anyone unless you are expecting him or know him.
• Never admit anyone to the building who is there to see another tenant or to deliver something to another apartment.
• Anyone asking admission so that he can do some work for another tenant should not be admitted, but should be referred to the building’s manager.
• If you see someone in your building who looks out of place or is acting suspiciously, contact the police.

God forbid, What if it happens to you?

If you are a victim of a home invasion robbery remember the following:

• First and foremost try to stay calm.
• Cooperate, No amount of cash or property is worth getting hurt over.
• DON’T fight back unless you determine that you are in danger of being killed. Instead, concentrate on getting information so you can be an effective witness.
• LOOK carefully at the intruders, even if they are masked. Is there something unique about them such as scars, tattoos, large nose? What are they wearing? Listen to everything they say, and how they say it. Catch any distinguishing odors such as tobacco, alcohol, or aftershave.

Start planning today, start with your home and family. Branch out and try to organize a neighborhood watch or call a neighborhood meeting to discuss your safety concerns. Contact your local sheriffs office and ask if they would be willing to come and talk to the group. Most law enforcement agencies are happy to do so. It is our job to take charge of our personal security both within our homes and communities. Remember the old saying, “There is power in numbers.” This is absolutely true when dealing with criminals. Believe me if they see signs of a united community or neighborhood, they are likely to go elsewhere.

Bryan J Buckner
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/home-invasions-are-on-the-rise-755211.html

Is your home secure from intruders? Would you be alerted if there were suspicious activities outside the front door? If you can’t answer these questions with a resounding yes, then you need to boost your home security with an indoor and an outdoor wireless security camera.

Extend Video Surveillance Outdoors

Okay, you’ve got yourself covered indoors and you’re smug about this. But you’re forgetting that home security is not just monitoring the nanny and the kids. You have to know if there are any unusual goings-on out there; if you are staying in an apartment, you need to know who is knocking on the door and what he has behind his back – a pizza carton or a gun? An outdoor wireless security camera can give you the right answer.

Through the door’s peep hole, you can see the person’s distorted face but you can’t guess what he is toting. An outdoor wireless security camera positioned across the door and another on the outer door at eye-level can solve the problem for you. Still if he is a stranger, you don’t open the door. You communicate to him through the camera’s two-way audio/speakers and that’s that. You’re safe behind that door.

Here’s an additional bonanza. If you are getting home and content insurance, you’re likely to get bigger discounts if you have put up an outdoor wireless security camera and your home is rigged with indoor surveillance cameras. So on top of your home security, you get a better deal from the insurance company.

So Many Brands, It’s Confusing!

There is a host of wireless security camera brands. Before you get lost in the maze, make a checklist of what you need from your outdoor wireless security camera. Here are some factors to consider before you lug home a brand new outdoor security camera:

– Camera range. Do you need a security camera that has an extensive range or no?
– Is your part of the neighborhood well-illuminated at night with street lamps?
– Is there a power source nearby?
– Is the weather in your area warmer or colder?
– Do you want a date/time/sequence recording?
– Do you want the convenience of a battery strength indicator?
– Do you prefer an easy delete of all recordings?
– Do you want a camera that still works well in total darkness?
– Do you want a solar-powered outdoor security camera?
– Do you want a motion detection feature to save on unnecessary recordings?

These are a lot of questions to ask yourself but these are valuable when you are seeking an expert’s help to guide you in your choice of outdoor wireless security camera. Brand comparison can come later on when you have identified the features you need with your outdoor security camera, and oh, your budget will also have a lot of say on the matter of camera brands.

The Pros of Boosting Home Surveillance

There’s much to gain when you boost home surveillance with an outdoor wireless security camera or cameras. You gain peace of mind over the security of home and family and you can control and manage your home security without calling in the guards. There’s that home and content insurance discount too. Now you know why it pays to boost your home security with exterior surveillance cameras.

Nahshon Roberts
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/boost-your-home-security-with-an-outdoor-wireless-security-camera-755931.html