Health tips and advice

Health insurance is essential to all families because it saves them time and money in the event of an illness or death of a family member. But how does one choose the right health care plan for their family? There are many health care plans today and these are run by health care providers such as hospitals and also insurance groups such as Aetna and Cigna. When choosing the right health care plan for your family, certain considerations must be taken into account:

A) Cost

B) Convenience

C) Quality of care

Cost

There are different health care plans; indemnity plans and managed care. When choosing the right health care plan for your family, remember that indemnity plans involve direct payment to the provider and payment is not subsidized or discounted. Managed care such as HMO or PPO is have reduced rates which are enjoyed by all members. These providers are able to slash their rates and pass the savings onto their members because they are run by a consortium of many doctors, large hospitals and these enjoy collective benefits and sharing of responsibilities and costs so the members end up with lower out-of-pocket charges.

Convenience

HMOs have most of their tasks automated and therefore there is less paperwork to deal with on the part of the patient. On planning a doctor’s visit, the patient can easily log on to the provider website and download and fill all the necessary forms and send them to the doctor prior to the visit. This speeds up the visit when the patient finally gets there.

Quality Care

Managed care plans such as HMO and PPO are very adamant about quality and thus their members enjoy a high degree of quality health care. The doctors are strictly professional and must have passed all the necessary examinations and possess all the required licenses to practice in their individual states.

The downside of managed health care plans such as PPOs is that the patient has to choose a particular doctor, called a PCP (Primary Care Physician) who is their point of reference for all their health needs. In most cases, the patient cannot see a specialist without a written or faxed referral from their PCP.

Managed care health care plans are mostly for people who possess health insurance; either privately or through their employer. Indemnity plans, which require the patient to pay outright for medical services, are mostly for persons who do not have health insurance or do not want to be tied to any monthly or annual premiums. Plans vary based on zip code and area as well.

By: Dee Cohen

The world of mental health already has enough stigma, and wanting to help a friend get past the stigma and reveal a rich, fulfilling life is a noble ideal. Everyone deserves a happy, fulfilling life and those dealing with a mental health issue are no exception to this ideal. There’s plenty of be a great friend that go beyond just being a good person – when we help others, we enjoy a happier and more fulfilled feeling ourselves. It goes both ways – in order to be happier, we have to increase the happiness and joy of other people. This article will cover the three tips to being a great friend to someone with a mental illness. If you’re just now making friends with someone who suffers from a mental disorder, you will find a great set of tips you can use right away to build a good friendship from the ground up.

The first tip is to be as open and sincere as possible. Many people with mental health issues are used to people being underhanded and trying to hurt them or take advantage of them. In order to combat this fear, many people with a mental health problem tend to stay inside themselves and refrain from building solid friendships. You can help them get past this obstacle by showing them that there really are nice people out there that want to help and build them up. Show this by being kind and respectful – if they don’t want to talk about their mental health issue, you should never force the issue. The key here is to treat people with mental health issues with the same respect that you would show anyone else.

The second tip is to be encouraging and suggest constructive activities. This affects people in different ways. For example, people with depression who have trouble finding a reason to get out of bed every morning may enjoy a hobby they can share with you, like going bowling or learning how to build model airplanes. Both of those hobbies are activities that can benefit both parties and create a bond through a shared activity that can be enjoyed for months, even years to come. Take the time through conversation to learn what they enjoy doing, or used to enjoy doing and then create the activities in slow steps. You don’t want to rush this process because it will take time to not only build trust, but also to get back into the habit of enjoying social activity with someone else.

The final tip is to be understanding. Someone fighting with mental health illnesses may have their fair share of good days and bad days, but it is often how you will react to them on the bad days that will determine how strong of a friendship you’ll create. If you catch them on a bad day where they’re struggling, don’t turn away from them. Instead, be ready to offer a sympathetic ear and advice if asked. Being a good listener and showing that you’re willing to stick by them through thick and thin is the real key to a lasting friendship that will strengthen both people touched by it.

Overall, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be as great of a friend as you can to anyone, including people suffering from a mental health illness. With these tips in mind you should have no problem at all being the best friend possible!

By: Joyce Briggs

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have difficulty sitting still and concentrating. They feel the urge to move around continually. Everyday items such as a ticking clock, the movement of the rustling leaves, the wind outside, and the dripping of a leaky faucet are enough to distract attention from homework.

Parents can help an ADHD child complete it without resorting to yelling and threatening punishment. Understanding the thought and behavior pattern differences in their child equips parents to help a young one complete homework in a reasonable timeframe and retain a greater level of knowledge.

Not all ADHD children are alike. Some have minimal hyperactivity symptoms; others may focus well, but have difficulty controlling their moods and physical actions. A different approach treats each type of behavior.

Homework Tips for Kids with Attention Deficit Problems

• Remove Obvious Distractions: Turn off the television and radio, remove siblings from the room and close the blinds before beginning homework.

• Use an Egg Timer: An egg timer provides continuous visual cues to help the child pace progress and stay on task.

• Verbal Cues: If you catch your child daydreaming or fidgeting with school supplies, gently remind them to return to the task of completing their homework.

• Break Down Large Assignments: Large assignments can be overwhelming to a child with attention deficit disorder. Parents should break these large assignments into smaller, manageable chunks. This also helps create an ongoing sense of accomplishment as the child completes each portion.

• Use White Noise: White noise, such as the humming of a fan, helps an ADHD child concentrate.

• Write It Down: ADHD children often forget homework assignments seconds after being told the tasks. Purchase an agenda book or school planner to track assignments. Teach your child to use it daily.

• Keep a Schedule: Routine schedules make a big difference in children with ADHD. Setting a time for it every day allows the child to prepare for the activity. Be sure to select a period when your child’s concentration levels are the greatest.

Homework Tips for Kids with Hyperactivity Disorder

• Frequent Breaks: Allow the child to take a break at set intervals during homework time. This relieves the desire to move around, fostering greater concentration.

• Burn off Excess Energy: Allow the child a few minutes of free time, preferable outdoors and prior to the homework session. Transition to the time by slowly decreasing physical activity until the child is able to sit still to work on assignments.

• Use Index Cards: Write out spelling words, memorization items, or key facts on index cards that the child can flip through while standing or walking around the room.

• Try Standing Up: Use a podium for completing this instead of a desk and chair. This may allow the child to expend small amounts of physical energy while allowing him to complete homework in a timely manner.

When helping an ADHD child complete homework, be sure to give frequent words of praise for each small accomplishment. Patience, encouragement, and understanding are necessary in dealing with these extraordinary children.

By: Lily Morgan