Choosing The Right Alternative Health Care Products

A majority of individuals may now be reluctant to resort to pharmaceutical drugs as their rendered benefits often come with the package of harmful side effects. There is currently a deluge of pharmaceutical products and health supplements but the trend becoming popular nowadays is alternative health care products. Alternative health care is basically synonymous with natural and anodyne health measures, and with the way that sounds, more and more people find them appealing. After all, isn�t natural safe and effective? In fact, a large proportion of those conscientious about their health opt to take alternative health care supplements rather than conventional pharmaceutical drugs as alternative health care products are made from natural plant extracts thereby allowing better absorption and consequently, better efficiency.

Synthetic supplements, on the other hand have large amounts of chemical components and has less concentration of the main nutritional element thus, effectivity and absorption may not be obtained as quickly as the consumer would like. In fact, conventional practitioners recommend alternative health care products for those with conditions like allergies, being overweight, hypertension, diabetes and chronic digestive problems. However, it must be taken into account that dietary supplements are not well regulated in the US and consumers may find that not all alternative health care products are safe. So how would a consumer know if they are using the right product? Initially consider choosing the right form.

Alternative health care products can come in capsules, tablets, gel caps, drinkable liquids and syrups. Although more individuals prefer the tablet form, it may be a better choice to resort to liquid supplements. The solid form may not contain herbal flavoring but they are generally slower to absorb as strong binders to hold their form are within their composition. Drinkable alternative health care products on the other hand are directly absorbed and may deliver results quickly. Other than that, capsules are also a better option if they have a better absorption process. Alternative health care products are generally safe although there are those that may contain minimal amounts of plant preservatives and pesticides.

It may be sensible to buy organic herbal products. Despite being a bit more expensive, organic herbs are grown naturally and are less likely to be contaminated with chemicals making them safer and with lesser side effects if none at all. There are likewise alternative health care products manufactured with a combination of different herbs. The purpose of such is to create multivitamin products but it must be noted that not all herbs may work well together. A good look at the label before buying the alternative health care product is essential and it may be more prudent to choose single herb supplements.

Resorting to single-herb supplements can ensure a better monitoring of what goes into each dose. Finally, a consumer must be wary of purchasing alternative health care products from an unreliable source. Buying from credible and trusted sources such as the hospital or professional health care shops may be a better recourse. When acquiring the alternative health care products from drug stores or the supermarket, a careful look at the label is a must and if there be any queries, one must not hesitate to call the manufacturer or the doctor.

 by Dr. Rose Windale

Health Activists Demands New Proposal on Health Care

Health activists are up in arms against the Planning Commission for its proposal in the 12th Five Year Plan documents that seeks to restructure the country's health care system in a way that would effectively hand over health care to the corporate sector.

"It is particularly problematic that the Plan document to be adopted by the panel by the end of this month, invokes the concept of Universal Health Care, while it actually proposes a strategy that is far removed from the basic tenets of universal health care,'' Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, a conglomerate of rights-based health activists said here on Wednesday. The activists claimed that the Universal Health Coverage report had been "distorted and misinterpreted'' by the Planning Commission.

Taking a serious note of the issue, Srinath Reddy, chairman of the now disbanded High Level Expert Group (HLEG), set up by the Planning Commission to draw a roadmap for universal health coverage for the country has convened a meeting of the HLEG on Thursday to respond to the proposals.

At a press conference, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan activists claimed that the Plan document recommends increase in public expenditure on health from the present one per cent to 1.58 per cent which is in sharp contrast to the HLEG recommendations of increasing the expenditure by at least 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product. Secondly, it proposes that the Centre's share in the additional health expenditure would be less than half of what the States would contribute.

"What is of greater concern is the strategy proposed for re-structuring of the country's health system in the document that proposes a transition from the present system which is a mix of public sector service provision plus insurance, to a system of health care delivered by a managed network. There, is thus, a road map envisaged where the government would abandon its central role of providing health care and become primarily just a manager of the new system,'' Amit Sengupta of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan said.

He pointed out that the documents vision of 'universal provision of public health care' through preventive interventions which the government would be both funding and universally providing (like vaccination, neo-natal care and other non-profit services) and clinical services at different levels, defined in an essential health package, which the government would finance but not necessarily directly provide.

"This would mean that the government would over time confine itself to providing a small package services and would be primarily just a purchaser of virtually all clinical services from the corporatised private sector. The government would, thus, finance (with public money), strengthen and bolster an already resurgent corporate sector providing medical services,'' Jashodhara Dasgupta of Sahyog and member of HLEG said adding that it would also decisively halt and eventually reverse the moderate achievements of the National Rural Health Mission in expanding public health infrastructure and services.

Also, the public health system will now be asked to compete with the private sector to attract patients. A system is envisaged where each citizen family would be entitled to an essential health package in the network of their choice. Besides, public facility networks organised, private and NGO providers would also be empanelled to give a choice to the families by strengthening the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. Whereas, the HLEG in its report had recommended against any kind of insurance as these often resulted in inferior health outcomes and high health care cost inflation.

Reacting to the draft Plan documents, Dr Reddy told The Hindu that the public sector should remain as the main provider of universal health coverage and it is necessary to strengthen the public health infrastructure from the sub-centre to district level. The private health care providers may be contracted in to supplement the services if needed through a well defined regulatory process, he added.

by Jim Con

The Importance of Home Health Care Agencies

If your senior parents require your full-time assistance and help, you should consider hiring home health care agencies to care for them whenever you can't be around for them. Although we want to be there for our ageing or sick parents, this may not be possible because of our demanding job schedules and other daily duties such as taking care of our own family, doing household chores, among many others. Asking the help of a home health care agency may be the best option for you and your parents who don't need to be placed in a nursing home or other facilities. Providing senior home care for them will allow them to enjoy their remaining days with their family in a familiar and comfortable environment.

With home health care agencies, you can receive many benefits allowing you to live a much easier and stress-free life. With someone providing care for your senior parents when you are not around, you have nothing to worry about. This will ensure that you have more time to relax and care for your own needs, which is almost impossible if you're the only one in-charge of caring for your parents. When you are overburdened with the responsibility of caring for your parents and for your own family, you might become unhappy and irritated and this could lead to more tensions and worries in your family. Home healthcare agencies can help by sending professionals who are trained and suited to provide all kinds of help to your senior folks, ranging from personal care services to medical services. Because they know and understand the real needs of your elderly parents, they can help in maintaining a perfect balance in your home.

There are cases wherein seniors are weakened by their feelings of solitude and loneliness due to their minimal interaction with other people. These feelings become more intense when they become sick or are bedridden. Unfortunately, when this situation is not properly addressed it might lead to severe depression and thereby lessen your parents' quality of life. Home health care agencies are aware of all these and they can send professionals who are equipped not only with proper training but also with enough experience to effectively handle the situation. By providing constant support and company to your parents, home health care professionals can help them live a better life.

Because home health care agencies will play a major role not only in the lives of your senior parents but in your whole family as well, you should take some time to consider which agency to hire. What is most important is to assure that you contact an agency that can provide appropriate care services for the care recipients. Knowing the professionals they're hiring is also an important aspect to consider when contacting home health care agencies.

The very first thing you should do is to have a list of accredited and licensed home health care agencies. This will give you the assurance that your parents would be receiving the best and the right type of home health care.

Once you already have this list, your next step is to make a shortlist based on how near they are to your home. This will allow you to personally visit and know more about them. It is important to know the agency's operation history as this will help you determine whether they are qualified to care for your folks or not.

Reference checks are very crucial. You have to make sure that the person providing care for your folks is not only licensed but also has a clean background. Hence it is important that you ask the methods employed by home health care agencies in their hiring of health professionals.

Consider the services that the home health care agency offers. You have to make sure that they offer what your senior parents require as well as whatever the doctor would prescribe to them. The agency should be able to coordinate well with the medical condition of your parents.

After choosing one particular home health care agency, set an appointment with them. This will give you the opportunity to discuss with them all the important things that you want to ask and clarify with them. Make sure the agency allows you to choose the home health care professional who will work with your senior parents.

by Peter Mangiola

Home Health Care Basics

Rehabilitation can be taken care of by home health care. This is something that could prove to be a viable option also among senior elders who need assistance at home. There are different ways in which this setup can be made possible and it may not always involve the presence of a care aide together with the patient.

There are different types of home health care services and it really helps to know what the patient's needs are first and foremost. You can either have a care professional live with the patient or just have them come over at specific schedules. It's not always necessary to have them live with you.

But as a whole, home health care meets the demands for skilled nursing. This may be in the form of a part-time or a specifically skilled health professional. Usually the services are just basic provision of health care needs but something more than that can also be provided and this would be in the form of therapies like physical and occupational therapy.

Care agencies also offer different types of professionals to get the job done. There are mostly care aides who can be give to you and provide some basic assisted living services. They can also be in charge of some housekeeping duties that most patients in rehabilitation or of an old age already cannot handle.

But if the patient requires a more serious or more complex type of health care assistance, the agency can also provide you with a personal nurse. Some of these nurses may only be present at a specific schedule while there are also those that can be hired to stay with you in your own home.

When there is a nurse involved or a health aide to live with the patient, the agency often coordinates this with the client first. The client is sometimes given the opportunity to actually speak with the qualified care professionals to help assess the best option among them. The client may also be given the freedom to suggest bits and pieces in the program.

You may have noticed the relevance of agencies in the home health care setup. They are actually the institutions whom you could turn to for your needs. These agencies are great because they can become the point of contact for your questions and other needs.

Because home health care is a long term thing, you should consider making this plan first with your family. You need to make sure that this is something that you can also have plenty of budget for because it would take years and not merely months.

by Jack Restinson

Home Health Care: Getting Better at Home

Home health care is exactly what you'd expect. If you don't like the hospital scene, can't afford it, or would just rather stay in your house, these can be achieved by choosing home health care. Other advantages include lower cost, more individual attention, and easier access to the care provider. You will feel more at ease in your own home.

Health care is, of course, supposed to help you recover form an ailment. Whether it is physical or mental, recovering in your own home can make it easier to regain your self-confidence, independence, and ability to take care of yourself again. Who wouldn't want to do that in the comfort of their own home?

Many services offered in hospitals can also be taken care of using home health care - physical, occupational, speech and nutrition therapy to name a few. Other options include patient education and regular injections. Not only are these medical jobs expected, but anyone taking care of you in your home will provide daily cleaning and cooking, as well.

You can find a plethora of companies that offer home health care. One thing to make sure is that your insurance covers this type of care; otherwise you may be surprised by a larger bill than you expected. Research the internet and any local health care agencies to find out exactly which services they offer.

What can a home health care agency staff member do for you? You can expect them to take care of general health monitoring, including meal preparation, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and checking for breathing problems. Any prescribed medicine or exercise will be under their close watch, as well. Making sure the environment is safe and comfortable is their job, too.

In order to provide the best service, be sure to describe your situation, needs, and expectations for your helper. This is called your plan of care. Your doctor should be involved in this process to help make sure the complete care is given. Plans of care will be reviewed often to ensure it is on track and remaining effective.

Ask questions often while you are receiving home health care, as well. Assess your situation and be sure you are being treated correctly. Respect and polite behavior should be expected at all times. If they are not explaining a treatment clearly to you, ask them. Check in with them about how you feel and when you think something is working.

Know more than you did before about home health care? If you need to know more, you can look up stories about those who have received this care in the past. They will give their feedback about good and bad experiences, whether or not it helped more than a hospital, and if they would recommend it to you.

by Jack Restinson