Aging Gracefully

Ethics in Nursing

2008-10-06T13:19:00Z

Submitted by: Kate Kusterbeck, RN, BC, RMP a Holistic Nurse utilizing therapeutic interventions such as cranial sacral massage, reiki, meditation, EFT and hypnotherapy to enable positive health outcomes. Reach Kate at Willem62284@aol.com

Ethical decisions are central aspects of public policy making due to the fact that public policy making is a deliberate plan of action which addresses the “social, moral and economic values that tie a society together” (Ellis, J., Hartley, C., 2004). Addressing the values that “tie a society together” (Ellis, J., Hartley, C., 2004) is particularly relevant with regard to health policy in nursing given that the social context of nursing is based on the assumption that “nurses share a broad contract with society” (ANA Social Policy Statement, 1995) which protects human rights while “promoting health, preventing illness and alleviating suffering” (Burkhard, M., Nathaniel, A, 2008). Viewed in this context, ethical decisions in nursing are significantly broader than the simple analyzing of right and wrong,

In order to establish national goals for health promotion and disease prevention activities, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Health Service Organization developed the Healthy People 2010 project. This initiative was different from previous similar initiatives in that it did not “merely look at the health of the nation but rather it devised strategies for improvement” (Healthy People 2010, 2000). Two of the health policy objectives addressed in Healthy People 2010 are to: 1) increase quality and years of healthy life to all people and 2) eliminate health disparities in the US citizenry.

Each of these objectives characterizes public policy which is ethical and which represents an opportunity for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, gender or socioeconomic status to share equally in the benefits of quality healthcare which will support potentially healthy outcomes. Furthermore, healthcare professionals and policy makers who dedicate themselves to providing care which is intolerant of disparity and to the violation of human rights pave the way for the manifestation of a therapeutic relationship in which increased trust and confidence encourages better patient compliance and better outcomes.

From a nursing standpoint these goals are appropriate to maintaining the ethical standard that a “nurse’s primary commitment is to the person” (Burkhardt M, Nathaniel A 2008) and that it is his/her responsibility to offer care which is individualized and which promotes the uniqueness of the patient (Code of ethics for nurses, 2001).

The goals set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services are consistent with my philosophy of nursing as well as my personal philosophy to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. They represent what stands out as particularly important in my nursing practice because without a standard that strives for quality care provided to all citizens so that all have an equal chance of a favorable outcome regardless their personal qualities or merits all other standards of care are undermined in their effectiveness.

Works Cited

Burkhardt M, Nathaniel A (2008). Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing (3^rd ed,

pp. 493-538). Delmar Learning.

Ellis, J., Hartley, C. (2004). Nursing in Today’s World (8^th ed, pp. 313-327).

Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Kelly, P. (2008. Nursing Leadership and Management (2^nd ed, pp. 518-531). United

States

Antiaging Skincare – Why collagen?

2008-08-04T17:26:00Z

by Ellen Saxe

My expertise in the beauty profession spans over 20 years as a certified educator, stylist, manager and business owner. I have been educated and have extensive knowledge in skincare educating how to use natural ingredients and incorporating other natural methods, like meditation and more, to help relieve stress and reduce aging. I am on the panel of allexperts in my related profession and have recently ventured into the writing arena.

Collagen is an essential ingredient for anti aging. After all, it is mentioned in every anti aging article we read. But what is collagen? I decided to look up collagen in the dictionary and here is the definition of collagen: fibrous proteins found in bone, cartilage, skin, and other connective tissue. To understand just what part collagen plays in the antiaging skin care cycle we have to delve into what makes her so important. Collagen is the main supporting substance that's produced in the dermis or inner skin. Collagen formation and breakdown takes place inside that inner skin lying beneath the thin outer skin called the epidermis. In younger people the collagen is firm and abundant. Unfortunately as we grow older, the collagen structure begins to fall away creating wrinkles, deeper creases, that horrible sagging neck, and those baggy areas around the eyes. Increasing collagen loss also causes the elderly to bruise more easily and to be subject to skin tears.

Is there a way to minimize the negative effects the breakdown of collagen has on our skin? Yes, thank goodness! But, what should we look for in an anti aging product? First, be very cautious and read the fine print on the labels staying away from any potential harmful preservatives. There have been research and studies that have tested lotions containing retinol, a form of Vitamin A, and found it reduced wrinkles and skin roughness by promoting new collagen.

Botanical or natural skin care products are created from plant extracts. One natural ingredient to look for is Keratin. It might read, Cynergy Tk, which is a patented form of keratin and has been tested and shown to stimulate collagen growth, regenerate elastin and increase production of new skin cells.

Read the labels, research products and talk to professionals and experts in skin care . Begin today to stop collagen loss; it is never too early and certainly never too late.

Battling obesity through surgical options

2008-07-09T02:21:00Z

Obesity is a common and ever increasing medical problem. With greater than 60% of the US population now considered overweight, and 1/3 of these people considered obese, it is becoming an epidemic. Genetics, Environment, and Social Factors have all contributed to the rise in Americans waistlines. Our shared diets along with similar lifestyle may explain the common factor of why obesity runs in families. What we eat along, how much we eat, and our level of activity mainly contributes to how much we weigh. Economics and education have also been linked to patterns in weight.

Dietary modifications, including commercial weight loss centers, fad diets, dietary supplements, and exercise have been the mainstays for treating obesity. Until recently these were commonly recognized as the only help in overcoming the battle against obesity. Over the past 15 years, more Americans and their medical providers are opting for surgery to treat obesity. New studies are proving that bariatric (weight loss) surgery can help cure diabetes. It is difficult for many people to even imagine no longer taking diabetes pills or injecting themselves with insulin

There are many surgical options available, but the two most common types of surgeries that are performed include malabsorptive surgery- Roux en Y (Gastric Bypass), and restrictive surgery- laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Over the next several installments a discussion of surgery as a treatment option for obesity will be discussed, including risks and benefits of the procedures, what makes a good candidate for surgery, necessary preparations, what to expect during hospital stay, and what to expect during recovery from bariatric surgery.

Tara Zychowicz FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner with more than 16 years of nursing experience, including 5 years as an NP, who currently practices in the field of Bariatric Surgery. She works at Tri State Bariatrics, in Middletown , NY where surgeon, Peter H. Kwon, MD, has performed over 1200 Lap Band surgeries. Their team of highly skilled surgeons, nurse practitioners, nurses, and clinical support staff has helped many clients succeed at losing weight.

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It pays to complain

2008-06-10T18:01:00Z

My career as a chronic complainer commenced one evening years ago. A fledging housewife, I was preparing dinner. Upon opening a package of Birds-Eye frozen spinach, I came upon a grasshopper, bright green and perfectly intact. Calmly, I wrapped the unexpected bonus, returned it to my freezer and reached for a can of corn as a substitute vegetable. After dinner, I sat down at the manual typewriter and fired off a note to the packager of my unique spinach, telling them, “I was not planning on any added protein to the veal cutlet I was c ooking.”

Within a week, the company sent a representative to our third-floor flat. The well- dressed middle-aged man with a briefcase asked to see the evidence. As my husband Mario stood by me, I triumphantly removed the frozen grasshopper from the freezer. The man took the ice block, slipped it into a briefcase and asked nervously, “What can Birds- Eye do to compensate you?”

I was a novice in the business of complaining and, without thinking, found myself saying, “Our meal was spoiled. You can pay me $10 to cover the costs.” The man’s face momentarily betrayed surprise, then relief, but he said nothing. He simply pulled a $10 bill from his wallet, handed me a paper to sign and beat a hasty retreat. In hindsight, I realized I had cheated myself out of a healthy settlement. I vowed that the next time Big Business inconvenienced me, the matter would not be settled so cheaply.

Since that fateful evening, myriad complaints have flowed from my typewriter. Mind you, all of them have been legitimate. I discovered that a courteous letter of complaint – or, in later years, a long-distance phone call – to a company would result in both satisfaction and restitution. Sometimes it would take two letters or two phone calls to obtain results. Mario would look on with support, if not amusement, at the newfound cause of his fearless housewife.

Complaining and standing up for your rights – especially as a senior citizen – can be daunting. But in a world where quality and customer service are fading customs, my complaints remind Big Business that the customer is always right – especially when she has been wronged.
Over the years, I have complained to companies for a variety of consumer indignities: stale cereal, dishwashing liquid that refused to work up a lather, rancid canned nuts and the delivery of flowers that resembled field weeds. In each case, a heartfelt letter or call yielded a store coupon (or two!) to replace the offending product. Complaint letters eventually reimbursed me for a variety of losses, from defective clothing to faulty zippers to shoddy workmanship on a pair of shoes I bought while on vacation in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

However, when one deals with airlines, a stronger approach is needed. Years ago, I boarded a flight to New Mexico to babysit my grandchildren. When the meal arrived, it was arranged on an aluminum tray like a TV dinner and featured a slab of chicken, two meager potato puffs and creamed peas. After the first swallow, I realized the peas were covered in mold. A mad dash to the lavatory to upchuck the meal met no success.

Upon my return, I flagged down a flight attendant, who received my complaint with solicitude and asked that I fill out a form. The result? As I deplaned, I was met by a registered nurse and a wheelchair. Much ado about nothing. But when I got home, I sent a polite letter of protest to the airline, which resulted in a refund of the $350 flight fee.
One of my most pleasant dust-ups with corporate America occurred in 1985. I was preparing a chicken for roasting and was puzzled when I removed from its cavity an enormous packet of innards. It was time to write a letter to the company to warn them that someone was “fowling” up the operation. My letter began coyly, “Are you growing such spectacular chickens these days that each one has four gizzards?”

Within two weeks a business envelope arrived from Perdue, at the time the best-known chicken producer in America. The author of the letter explained that the company prides itself on quality control. But, he admitted, “we find that occasionally a worker will inadvertently place more than one of the giblet components in the packet.” The writer assured me “We will place more emphasis on decreasing errors in this aspect of production.” It was signed by the top bird himself, Mr. Frank Perdue!

Accompanying the letter was a check for $2, as well as a 22-cent stamp to cover my postal expenses. Perdue was not only a tough man who made tender chickens, but he was also a shrewd businessman. And now he had a customer for life.

My most recent complaint targeted an airline again, this resulting from a six-hour delay reaching Las Vegas from Stewart Airport. The explanation? Flat tires on the small plane destined for Chicago and a connecting flight necessitated replacement fires being flown in from Albany; once arrived, there was no mechanic to install them. Another delay while one was summoned from New York. The net result: I missed an important family celebration.
Once home, and aware that non-weather related extended delays required compensation, I sent a polite letter to the offending airline, which garnered no response. A follow-up letter directed to the CEO eventually elicited a $150 voucher – not all that I’d hoped for, but welcome nonetheless. My record for scoring 100 percent satisfaction on legitimate complaints remains unblemished.
At 86, more mellow and more tolerant, my complaints have dwindled. That is not to say that if some transgression or omission raises my ire that I will be silent. After all, my mail is a lot more interesting when coupons for some form of restitution appear in my box. Speaking of mail, I am contemplating a letter to the U.S. government to convince them that 42 cents is quite enough postage for a first-class letter and they should abandon any efforts to increase the rate. That just might be my next crusade.

Rose Occhialino maintains her own business as a proofreader of court trial transcripts and is a volunteer at the Culinary Institute of America.

Our disposable society

2008-06-09T18:21:00Z

Sarah Ludwig Rausch is a mom of four and a freelance writer. Sarah specializes in parenting, children’s health, agriculture and family issues and writes a blog, “Parenting By Trial and Error.” She’s written for The Christian Science Monitor, The Progressive Farmer, Farm Industry News, Singapore ’s parenting magazine Motherhood, and a variety of other publications.

The disposable mentality seems to get more prominent with each generation. My grandmother, who was an adult during the Great Depression, saved everything. She seemed to be subconsciously worried that something of a similar nature could happen again and she was going to be prepared. The only reason she doesn’t save everything she owns anymore is because her apartment is too small.My mom saves less than my grandma, but still quite a bit more than I do. She’s been known to save buttons, glass jars, scraps of material and plastic containers with abandon.I seem to have picked up a little of that mentality too, though my mom has looked at me with something like disbelief/disapproval as I’ve pitched certain things. I freely toss plastic bags, aluminum foil and even, gasp, glass jars. I have a hard time not saving certain things though, “just in case.” It seems like I’ll get tired of something or it’ll not work quite right, so I’ll put it in the attic and then a few years later, I’ll need or want it again. Or I’ll save a cool-looking bottle or jar, thinking that I might want to use it someday.Right. Decisions like that usually cost me a lot of storage space and cleaning time, particularly since I don’t even remember what I’ve saved.My kids think just about everything is disposable, and totally replaceable, just because so many household items are today. We have disposable containers, disposable plates, batteries, you name it. That’s what the kids see, so when something happens to an expensive item, they say, “Well, we can just get a new one.” Uh, no. They, particularly the younger ones, don’t have a clue how to put a value on their belongings.The boys each got a Leapster for Christmas. Cody has that GameBoy obsession I referred to in my post, The GameBoy Addiction, so I thought a Leapster might be a good gift for him since it’s supposed to be educational. Sure enough, like many toys before them, both Leapsters have already started acting funny, most likely because they have been dropped on the floor more than once. <<gritting teeth>>When I said that the Leapster just probably isn’t working right anymore, Cody nonchalantly said he’d just get a new one. I tried to explain that Leapsters are not cheap and that once it breaks, that’s it, so he better learn to take care of it. He just looked at me with a blank expression, clearly not understanding why this wasn’t as replaceable as a roll of toilet paper.I’m sure it’s hard for little kids in this century to grasp which things are disposable and which are not (can you say “dollar store?”), but I think it’s important to teach them to respect and take care of their belongings anyway.Some day we might not have the luxury of throwing things away so easily.What do you think about the disposable mentality and its effect on kids?

On becoming antiquated

2008-05-01T15:48:00Z

Sarah Ludwig Rausch is a mom of four and a freelance writer. Sarah specializes in parenting, children’s health, agriculture and family issues and writes a blog, “Parenting By Trial and Error.” She’s written for The Christian Science Monitor, The Progressive Farmer, Farm Industry News, Singapore ’s parenting magazine Motherhood, and a variety of other publications.

Certain conversations with the kids can make me feel as young as a triceratops, even though I'm only 32. It's funny, but in a depressing sort of way.

Today, Cody asked me to sing the "Cruella DeVille" song from the just-released animated 101 Dalmations. I obliged, then told him that the only reason I remember it is because I used to listen to it on a record when I was a kid.

"What's a record?" Cody asked innocently.

I explained that it was sort of like a CD.

"You didn't have CDs when you were a kid?"

"Nope. We listened to tapes or records."

"No CDs?" Cody asked, amazed.

"What are tapes?" chimed in Logan.

As I said, humorous, but depressing.

Conversations that entail Cody asking me what GameBoy games I played or if I liked Nick Jr. when I was a kid usually have me explaining some electronic or novelty that today is pretty much obsolete. Remember Atari? Remember the days when hardly anyone even had cable TV? Remember dancing around to records and getting frustrated when the needle skipped? My kids have never even seen a record player, or a record, for that matter, much less used one.

My most classic example of becoming antiquated is this one from a year-and-a-half ago. The kids and I were watching a Sesame Street movie from the 80's. I mentioned that the kids on the movie were about the same age that I was at the time the movie was made.

Andie, then 8, said with complete seriousness, "Wow, they must all be dead now!"

I can't imagine how antique I will feel as a grandparent someday.