Friday, September 23, 2011

Attitude is Everything!

I know lots of people that complain about their lives. Their lack of gratitude for all the good things in their lives is just wrong. Their lives become sad BECAUSE they complain.

When things go wrong in our lives it is easy to lose sight of all the many, many, blessings that have been bestowed on us. We need to maintain an attitude of gratitude and look for all the positive things that we have going for us. Complaining is easy; a fresh perspective on your situation takes some thought.

Life will always have problems, back sets, and bad circumstances but by focusing on the positive things will go better. Solutions, opportunities, and fresh thoughts come to those that stay positive.

Some things I am thankful for:
Peace and safety.
A good night's rest.
My family who loves me.
Food to eat.
Pets to play with.
Many interesting and free things to do.
My health.
A roof over my head.
Clean water to drink and play in.
Libraries.
My church.
Neighbors that will help in times of need.
Friendships.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Whats on your Thankful list?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Protecting your treasure.

We all have treasures! You need to give some thought protecting your treasure while you are on Facebook. Facebook is a PUBIC forum no matter what your privacy settings are set to. You must remember you are not in your living room talking to your family or on the phone.
You need to protect your:
Identity:This includes your name, photo, address, phone numbers, husbands and children's names and photos. How much do you you want strangers to know? It does not matter that your settings are set to "friends only". Anything that is posted is available to "others".
Home:Please don't post that you are going somewhere for the weekend. There are lots of clever bad people out there and you may find your flat screen TV gone when you get back.
Money:This goes with all of the above. If your house is robbed you could potentially lose your identity and your bank accounts could get cleaned out too.
ChildrenI do not post anything about my family. I don't claim my kids, nieces, nephews, siblings or husband. Anyone that I am friends with on FB already knows who my relatives are. I personally know a child molester. He is on FB in the shadows with a false city and state. I think he knows about me but I certainly don't want him to know about my children. Predators are out there and they do not have your best interests in mind. Makes my skin crawl just to even think about it.
Reputation
What do your posts reveal about you?
Are you negative?
Lazy?
Unproductive? Too much time on Farmville?
Bored? Desperate?
Depressed?
Family arguments?
Are you or your kids disrespectful to others?
Unemployed? (does the world need to know?)

If you signed a background check be aware that employers can get into FB farther than the average person. My employer hires this done by a independent company. Always assume that your post is being read by your boss or if you are unemployed by those that interviewed you. Many potential hires have been "weeded out" by their FB posts.

Be smart! "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold". Proverbs 22:1

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Shopping at El Cheap Grocery

Now you are ready to explore new territory. I challenge you to go where you’ve never been before-El Cheap Grocery Inc. Before you start your venture you need to know the rules of the game. Take a quarter with you as you venture into the store. El Cheap keeps their carts in jail. You have to deposit a quarter to unlock the cart. You get your quarter back when you return your cart to the jail. This is a great motivator for customer to return carts to their proper place. Take your own grocery bags from Fancy Grocery across town—no one will bat an eye. El Cheap charges for bags. Leave your credit card and checkbook at home—no El Cheap is not free-they only take cash and debit cards. What you will find at El Cheap is basic groceries at great prices. As you make your way through the no-frills aisles you will find lots of generics and a few name brands. Be bold –try some generics—they often come off the same line as name brand items they just have a different label.

What El Cheap does have:
Good prices
A total lack of ambivalence
Two flavors of jello
Two flavors of pudding
A few name brands
Lots of generic canned goods
Courteous and fast checkers.
And great chocolate! (often from Germany)
Good quality sugar and flour.

What El cheap does NOT have:
Great lighting
Beautifully displayed produce
Free cookies for the kids (were they really free?)
Free balloons for the kids
A penny pony
Pizza smells wafting through the doors
Free samples
Free Coffee
Baggers
A Deli
A floral shop
Great Holiday displays
Everything

In case you are wondering... El Cheap is ALDI. If you need to save money and feed a small army it's the place to go.

Brown bagging it!


The number one reason to brown bag it is to save money.
Here's the math...

Number of people not eating at home X cost of lunch X five days per week =
the amount of money saved per week.

A school year is usually 36 weeks.
For adults multiply by the number of weeks worked per year. If you have two weeks of vacation then you work 50 weeks.

Example Kids:
Three kids X $2.75(cost of a school lunch) X 5 days X 36 weeks of school = $1485

Adults:
Two adults X $4.00(cost of eating out at noon) X 5 days X 50 weeks of work = $2000

Adults: Coffee and Vending
Two adults X $1.50 X 5 days X 50 weeks of work= $750
Based on the above calculation three school lunches plus two adult lunches costs $19.25 per day.
That’s a lot of money.

Brown bagging is NOT economical if you simply go the grocery and buy prepackaged pudding, cute little potato chip bags, kids microwave lunches and Jell-O.
A homemade brown bag lunch costs about $1.50 per person. A brown bag lunch for 5 people would cost $7.50 per day. $19.25 minus $7.50 is $11.75 saved per day!
If I save $11.75 per day for 20 minutes of effort- my hourly rate is $35.25 per hour. It may well be worth your time to pack a lunch.

Here are some ideas:
Sandwiches (be creative) leftover ham, turkey or meatloaf makes great sandwiches.
Split a french loaf of bread longways and fill with meat and cheese. Cut these into lunchsize sandwiches. Package individual sandwiches in freezer storage bags without condiments. Condiments can be added at lunchtime. Keep your mustard or mayo in the refrigerator at work. Finish by packing a little bag of vegies in the morning to add to your thawed out sandwich at noon.

Make a big batch of finger Jell-O on the weekend. Make two boxes of pudding and pour into individual containers.
Freeze leftover pieces of cake, bars or brownies.

Baby carrots
Cherry tomatoes
Pour pretzels, finger cereals, and goldfish from a big bag put into snack size bags. This is a good weekend job for the kids. I recommend using a ¼ cup measuring cup.

Celery with peanut butter (celery must be dry or peanut butter will slide off) add raisins for Ants on a Log.

For adults with access to a microwave: fill microwaveable dishes with supper leftovers.
Soup, spaghetti, and pasta bakes can be put in these containers at suppertime and be ready to go. No extra work. No wasted leftovers.

Please share your brown bag ideas.


Friday, August 26, 2011

Money...Rule Number One!



Don't lose it!
Well... obviously you say. But there are lots of ways to lose your money. Let me mention a few...
1. Shopping. Don't buy stuff you don't need.
2. Bad business ideas. I once had a on-line toy store. I got out before I lost too much money but I learned carrying an inventory of any kind is really a crap shoot. Just because you think it is a cool item does not mean it's gonna sell.
3. Bad business partner. Does your business partner like to spend money? Is your business partner less conservative with money than you are? If you answer yes to either of these RUN!
4. Bad business partner part two... does you business partner desperately need your/our money? If you answer yes to this one RUN faster.
5.Risky investments. Do your homework. Understand what you are investing in.
6. Dishonest financial "advisor". That's what FINRA is for. Look them up!
7. Unqualified financial "advisor". I know one financial advisor that invests for smart engineers. The "advisor"never went to college, operated his "financial services" for ten years without being licensed. I personally knew the guy and wouldn't have trusted him to handle taking care of my dog let alone my money. Repeat ... look them up on FINRA.
8. Dishonest doctors or other service people. I once went to a podiatrist... found him on the Internet. Great web site. He charged me over $1200 for two office calls and three x-rays (I think he had a fake machine because I never saw the x-rays). THEN I got smart and googled the guy. He had been circuit court numerous times (mostly for his billing practices). I payed the bill (ouch!) and got out before he found something else to charge me for. My feet still hurt too!
9. Dishonest employees. Google them too.
10. Waste eliminate this as much as possible. Eat leftovers. Return items that do not meet your needs.
11. Guard your identity. Don't put your social security number on job applications until your are hired. Remember piles of applications lay on people's desks and anyone that works there could potentially lift your social security number.
12. Don't eat out or visit Starbucks very often.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

The Packers and Horseback Riding?

I am working on my certification for therapeutic horseback riding. This certification will enable me to teach horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities. One part of my test involves riding a dressage pattern in front of two judges. This has been a huge physical challenge for me. I have done exercises, Pilate's, stretches, weight lifting, ballet barre exercises and taken about a million riding lessons and I am still struggling with getting my body to move in motion with the horse. HOWEVER when I look back I see myself improving and getting stronger. It has been a long hard road with many sore muscles.

Last night we went to a Green Bay Packer game. The teams came out on the field and lined up for their exercise routines. As I sat there in the stands I began to notice "Hey I do that exercise for horseback riding". The Packers and I do A LOT of the same exercises. I realized they didn't get on the team by laying on the couch complaining about their life... they worked hard to reach their goal.

Please share how you press through discouragement to keep working toward a goal.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

The 4-H Fair


I love the 4-H fair. I was a member for 10 years. I learned how to cook and sew by doing many projects. The 4-H fair in my county was quite competitive. The judges were tough and applied Purdue University rigor to child created projects. I struggled along for five years only receiving red and (and worse yet!) white ribbons. I decided I would give 4-H one more year and if I didn't receive a blue (1st place) ribbon I would just quit! Well, wouldn't you know it... my sixth year in 4-H I won my first blue ribbon. I stayed in 4-H and went on to win many more blue ribbons and even one reserve champion. I was really glad that I was persistent and continued to strive for the ribbon I wanted.

Amber Rehberg, Youth Extension Agent of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin says this so well in her monthly "Letter to 4-H Families":

The Fair is a special celebration of accomplishments but the real purpose of 4-H is about developing Blue Ribbon Kids. We have had a long history of youth and adults striving to make their best better, not only for themselves but for others. Whether the project involves a camera, a cow or a cookie, the ultimate goal is to help young people become the best they can be by gaining valuable life skills through experiential learning.

4-H is for the kids! If their photo or calf or cookies wins first place, that's great. If it doesn't, that may be even better. With the help and encouragement of parents, leaders and others, youngsters with the red or white ribbons have opportunities to grow and learn. For some the blue ribbon says, I know all I need to know; there is no reason to strive to do better; a blue ribbon should mean, I accomplished my goals for this year, it's time to raise the bar!

Fairs, shows and contests give everyone the opportunity to strive to do their best, to learn to cooperate as well as compete, to express their views and concerns and get along with others in the process. We all like to be considered the winner, but winning comes in different forms for each of us. As adults we need to do our part to help kids develop a winning attitude and sense of accomplishment, no matter what color the ribbon might be.


Keep working for your goal!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Money the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Money... how it is used is very important.
We'll start with the GOOD.
Money should be used to provide for our needs (not necessary our wants!)
Money should be used to develop your gifts and talents and the gifts and talents of others.
Money should be used to lift the burden of the poor and needy.
Money should be used to bless others.
The Bad
Money or the pursuit of wealth should NOT become a substitute for relationships with people.
Money should not be used to raise your status.
The Ugly
Money should not make you feel powerful. If money makes you feel powerful you might become a bully.
Money should not be used to control others.

Attitudes toward money and it's use will define you as a person!
"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed". Proverbs 11:25

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Every Child Is Created Special...e-mail by Sarah Palin


Quoted from National Right to Life News June/ July 2011.
"It was initially written, obviously not for publication, in April of 2008 just a few day before the arrival of her fifth child, Trig, who was born with Down's syndrome. In her email Palin imagines a letter from God to the family about to launch on its challenging child-rearing experience together...
Andrew Malcolm, New York Times

E-mail by Sarah Palin (abridged):
To the Sisters, Brother, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends of Trig Palin...,
I am blessing you with this surprise baby because I only want the best for you. I've heard yours prayers that this baby will be happy and healthy, and I've answered them because I only want the best for you!...

Then, I put the idea in your hearts that his name should be "Trig" because it's so fitting with two Norse meanings: "True" and "Brave Victory". You also have a Bristol Bay relative with that name, so I knew it would be best for you!

Then, I let Trig's mom have an exceptionally comfortable pregnancy so she could enjoy every minute of it, and I even seemed to rush it along so she could wait until near the end to surprise you with the news-that way Piper wouldn't have so long to wait and count down so many days-just like Christmastime when you have to wait, impatiently, for that special day to finally open your gift?...At first the news seemed unreal and sad and confusing. But I gave Trig's mom and dad lots of time to think about it because they needed lots of time to understand that everything will be OK, in fact, everything will be great, because I only want the best for you!...

Then, finally, I let Trig's mom and Dad find out before he was born that this little boy will truly be a GIFT. They were told in early tests that Trig may provide more challenges, and more joy, than what they ever may have imagined or ever asked for. At first the news seemed unreal and sad and confusing. But I gave Trig's mom and dad lots of time to think about it because they needed lots of time to understand that everything will be OK, in fact, everything will be great, because I only want the best for you!

I've given Trig's mom and dad peace and joy as they wait to meet their new son. I gave them a happy anticipation because they asked me for that. I'll give all of you the same happy anticipation and strength to deal with Trig's challenges, but I won't impose on you... I just need to know you want to receive my offer to be with all of you and help you everyday to make Trig's life a great one.

This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and bind us together and get everyone focused on what really matters. The baby will expand your world and let you see and feel things you haven't experienced yet. He'll show you what "true, brave victory" really means as those who love him will think less about self and focus less on what the world tells you is "normal" or "perfect". You will grow and be blessed with greater understanding that will be born along with Trig.


Trig will be his dad's little buddy and he'll wear Carharts while he learns to tinker in the garage. He'll love to be read to, he'll want to play goalie, and he'll steal his mom's heart just like Track, Bristol, Willow and Piper did...

Every child is created special, with awesome purpose and amazing potential. Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed up world you live in down there on earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome. Doctors call it "Down's Syndrome", and Downs kids have challenges, but can bring you much delight and more love than you can ever imagine! Just wait and see, let me prove this, because I only want the best for you!

Some of the rest of the world may not want him, but take comfort in that because the world will not compete for him. Take care of him and he will always be yours!

Trig's mom and dad don't want people to focus on the baby's extra chromosome. They're human, so they haven't known how to explain this to people who are so caring and are interested in this new little Alaskan. Sarah and Todd want people to share in the joy of this gift I'm giving to the Palin family, and the greater Alaska family. Many people won't understand... and I understand that. Some will think Trig should not be allowed to be born because they fear a Downs child won't be considered "perfect" in your world. (But tell me, what do you earthings consider "perfect" or even "normal" in any way?...Have you noticed I make 'em all shapes and sizes? Believe me, there is no "perfect"!)

Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this.

I know it will take time to grasp this and come to accept that I only want the best for you, and I only give my best. Remember though:"My ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts...for as the heavens are higher than the earth, my ways are hgiher than yours!"

I wrote that all down for you in the Good Book! Look it up! You claim that you believe me-now it's time to leave out that belief!

Please look to me as this new challenge and chaper of life unfolds in front of you. I promise to equip you. I won't give you anything you can't handle. I am answering your prayers. Trig can't wait to meeet you. I'm giving you ONLY THE BEST!

Love,
Trig's Creator, Your Heavely Father

Friday, July 8, 2011

Recycling... big time!


While vacationing in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin we toured the restored tug boat John Purves. The John Purves was built in 1919 as a steam powered tug. It was used primary in the Great Lakes and was the most powerful tug in it's day. The John Purves was used for many jobs in the Great Lakes. One of the most interesting was timber hauling. Logs would be rolled into the Great Lakes then the John Purves' cable would be lassoed around the whole log pile. Then the John Purves would tow it's load of timber very slowly to it's destination.
Now for the recycling part...
During WWII the Purves was used for the war effort. After the war the tug was returned to it's owner. The tug was later sold to John Roen. In 1957 Roen decided it was time for an upgrade. Roen decided to retrofit the tug with 2 diesel engines that were part of WWII surplus. The whole top of the tug was cut off, the steam mechanism was taken out and two diesel engines where installed. The top was replaced and the tug continued to work the Great Lakes till 2001. A team of eight dedicated volunteers worked for five years restore this tug. Our tour was given by one of these volunteers who gave us interesting glimpse of hard work and commerce on the Great Lakes.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

The Lost Dr. Seuss Poem


I love my job!
I love my job, I love the pay!
I love it more and more each day.
I love my boss, he is the best!
I love his boss and all the rest.

I love my office and its location, I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and grey, and piles of paper that grow each day!
I think my job is really swell, there's nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers, I love their leers, and jeers, and sneers.
I love my computer and its software;
I hug it often though it won't care. I love each program and every file.
I'd love them more if they worked a while.

I'm happy to be here. I am. I am.
I'm the happiest slave of the Firm, I am.
I love theis work, I love these chores.
I love the meetings with deadly bores.
I love my job- I'll say it again-I even love those friendly men.
Those friendly men who've come today,
In clean white coats to take me away!!!

I love this...



A True Home

A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of mother, the strength of a father. Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comaradeship. Home is first school..for the young ones where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved. Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings beacuse it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home.

by Ernestine Schumann-Heink

Time for a change???


Is it time for a change in your life? Perhaps you've been laid off, or fired. Maybe you are just stuck in a rut in a dead end job. It's time to think out of the box and move toward a more meaningful life. I would recommend Dan Miller's 48 Days to Work You Love to help you move toward a happier life. Your not alone in your frustration with work...read on…

Maybe Dats Youwr Pwoblem Too
by Jim Hall


All my pwoblems
who knows, maybe evwbody’s pwoblems
is due to da fact, due to da awful twuth
dat I am SPIDERMAN.

I know, I know. All da dumb jokes:
No flies on you, ha ha
and da ones about what do I do wit all
doze extra legs in bed. Well, dat’s funny yeah.
But you twy being
SPIDERMAN for a month or two. Go ahead.

You get doze cwazy call fwom da
Gubbener askin you to twap some booglar who’s
only twying to wip off color T.V. sets
Now, what do I cawre about T.V. sets?

But I pull on da suit, da stinkin suit,
wit da sucker cups on da finger,
and get my wopes and wittle bundle of
equipment and den I go flying like cwazy
acwoss da town fwom woof top to woof top.
Till der he is. Some poor dumb color T.V. slob
and I fall on him and we westle a widdle
until I get him all woped. So big deal.

You tink when you SPIDERMAN
der’s sometin big going to happen to you.
Well, I tell you what. It don’t happen dat way.
Nuttin happens. Gubbener calls, I go.
Bwing him to powice. Gubbener calls again,
like dat over and over.

I tink I twy sometin diffunt. I tink I twy
sometin excitin like wacing cawrs. Sometin to make
my heart beat at a difwent wate.
But den you just can’t quit being sometin like
SPIDERMAN.
You SPIDERMAN for life. Fowever. I can’t even
buin my suit. It won’t buin. It’s fwame wesistent.
So maybe dat’s da whole pwoblem wif evwytin.
Nobody can buin der suits, day all fwame wesistent.
Who knows?

Time to try something new-BURN THE SUIT!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Cabbage Soup

DSC01101 

If you like cabbage you will love this soup.

Dice the following:

3 cups of potatoes

1 bunch of green onions

1 cup of carrots

6 cups of  cabbage

Make the broth by mixing the following:

2 chicken bouillon cubes

4 cups of water

Bring the water and bouillon to a boil.  Add the potatoes, onions and carrots.  Reduce heat to medium and steam for 5 minutes.

Add the following seasonings:

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt

Now make the cream sauce:

Mix together to make a paste:

1 cup of melted butter (two sticks)

1 cup of flour

Slowly add…

2 cups of chicken broth

2 cups of milk

Bring this mixture to a boil and stir constantly until it is smooth.

Add to vegetable mixture.  Heat gently and serve.

Soup reheats well in the microwave.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Sugar Cookies

This old family favorite evokes memories of my grandma, Clara, baking cookies on frosty-cold winter mornings up north.

DSC00900

1 C butter
2 C sugar
1 C sour cream
1 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp salt
5-1/4 C flour (about)

Cream the butter and sugar.  Add sour cream with soda dissolved in it.  Add well-beaten eggs.  Add baking powder and vanilla extract.  Add flour.  Mix well.  Roll out on waxed paper.  Cut out cookies with a round cutter.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Alternate:  If you plan to frost the sugar cookies, omit sprinkling sugar on the cookies before baking.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Are you smarter than your computer?

NOVA (PBS) recently aired a program about a team of researchers at IBM that were building a computer to compete on JEOPARDY! They named the computer "Watson". "Watson" competed against Jeopardy's top winners and won. But don't despair. Computers can recall facts with a great deal of accuracy but have real problems with the nuances of language. The human brain is fearfully and wonderfully made. So celebrate your human smarts and enjoy these tricky word plays!
Watson can't laugh!

To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.

A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, UCLA

The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.

The batteries were given out free of charge.

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

A will is a dead giveaway.

If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.

Police were called to a day care where a three-year-old was resisting a
rest.

Did you hear about the fellow whose whole left side was cut off? He's all
right now.

If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory.

A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count
that votes.

When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds

The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

The optometrist who fell into the eyeglass making machine made
a spectacle of himself.

He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.

Acupuncture: a jab well done.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

How to choose a nursing home for your loved one...

Caring for a loved one at the end of their life is both privilege and responsibility. If you have been named the health care representative you will be choosing your loved one’s long term care facility. Your guiding principal should be the golden rule. Care for your loved one as you would want to be cared for. As health care representative you have been entrusted with your loved one’s life. This decision is often made quickly and with little guidance as to what to look for in a facility. I would like to offer some helpful suggestions.

1. Take some time. Know that you can request a 48 hour extension to pick a facility.

2. Look up all facilities that you are considering on the internet.
www.medicare.gov.
Go to resource locator
Then click on nursing homes

Google: (your state’s) Department of Aging and Disability.
Find the Consumer Information reports.

These two resources will help you get a general idea of what the facility care is like but it certainly does not give you the whole picture.

Quality of care should to be looked at carefully. Medication errors and actual harm dings are really bad.

3. Go visit several facilities. This will help you make a sound decision. Do not just pick the closest nursing home or the one that your neighbor said was good. Nursing care can be great one year and poor the next. If a key person leaves the job then nursing home can quickly go from good to bad. Breakfast time is a good time to visit because it is the hardest for the nursing staff. If they have their act together at breakfast they probably have their routine down pat. You should expect faces to be clean, beds made up, and patients alert by 9 or 10 a.m.

4. Find the survey. Read it carefully. Surveys have to be easily found by the public. You should not have to hunt or ask for the survey. Surveys are usually in the lobby area at the main entrance
Interpreting the survey...
Quality of care. A-D ratings are generally not a cause for concern.
G level or above are REALLY BAD.
Medication errors are BAD.
Actual harm errors are BAD.

5.Questions to ask…

How was your last survey? May I see it?

Observe the staff persons response. A well run facility will not be threatened by your questions.
What is your staff/patient ratio?
Different department should have different ratios. Departments where more care is needed should have a lower ratio.
What is your percentage of pressure sores this year?
Don’t look at the number look at the percentage. The percentage should be less than 5% unless they are specialists in healing bed sores.

6. Observations during your visit.

What is the general atmosphere?
Is the staff happy? What is the general attitude of the staff? Are they snotty and cold or warm and caring?

Is the facility dark and depressing or is it warm, cheerful, and homelike?

Is there a lot of odor? Spot odors may occur due to accidents but in general the whole place should smell clean and fresh.

Is the staff checked out? Someone should stop you and kindly inquire as to whom you would like to visit.

Is the staff working? or are they down the hall talking?

Are the patients being fed? Patients should not be staring at a plate of food. Meals should be brought when someone is available to feed them.
Are patients being encouraged to eat?

Are patients alert? Patients should be alert and not drugged or tied into a wheelchair.

Is the facility restraint free?
Bolsters, scoop mattress, and M bars are all good.

Beds should not have side rails.
Side rails are dangerous as people can become trapped in them.

Talk to a resident… what do they say?

7. Listen for these buzz words.
Eden Alternative
Person-centered care
Culture change

Research each of these philosophies.

While these things do not indicate the quality of care they do indicate that the nursing home is focused on patient choices. These will also give you some sense as to the nursing homes underlying philosophy of care.

Two more things you can do…
Ask for daily skilled service. (this will ensure that an R.N. will check on your loved one on a daily basis)
Ask for a lawyer name that specializes in Medicaid.

Remember to look at the big picture…
Any short term disruptions or inconveniences that you experience will be rewarded by the satisfaction that you did right by your loved one. You are their friend and advocate.