The Obesity Epidemic

Why are there so many overweight people these days? There they, waddling around, when they should be putting the remote control down and getting off the couch. I suppose I have just partially answered my own question. I have read several studies on this subject and most of them conclude that diet and exercise are the keys to weight management and being healthy. Processed and fast foods are easier to prepare and way more convenient. Living in a busy world, convenience is something people want. I cannot say I do not eat the occasional meal at a fast food restaurant, because that would be lying. What makes things worse is that when I do eat out, they want you to super-size your meal and give you a huge sleeve of fries and even bigger sugar laden soda pop. The smells can also cause you to think you are hungry. Every corner has fast food establishments tempting you to come in and buy a cheap, unhealthy meal. I do however try to avoid doing this as much as possible, but it is hard to find a restaurant nowadays that offers healthy choices. All of these things cause people to become fat and exercise becomes just too much effort.
Contributing to the endless supply of fast food restaurants, eating and preparing health meals at home can also a chore. I know firsthand that it takes effort to plan meals based on fresh vegetables, fruit and whole grains. It also costs a lot more for these types of foods. It also takes effort to read labels and avoid Hydrogenated oils and trans fats that clog up the arteries. After a while you crave the unnatural foods and reject the wholesome foods. It takes effort and determination to get off this treadmill and on to and exercise treadmill. Even diabetes (which people are getting earlier and earlier) does not scare people into changing.

Reuters (2008)Fast-food Ad Ban Could Cut Child Obesity: US Study. Retreived Novemeber 29,2008 from http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/11/20-4

Communication and Technology

In my opinion technology is helping overcome communication barriers in healthcare. Technology such as email, cell phones, computers, faxes, and pagers all have the potential to speed up communication. For example, receiving information in a timelier manner will improve patient care; keep members of the healthcare team abreast with the latest improvements or declines of a patient will increase response times. Patients will benefit, doctors can be kept up to date anywhere they are. They can order necessary medication or treatments from their home, cottage, or even on the golf course. The advance of technology improves communication, benefiting the patient and the healthcare team.

My thoughts about Seniors and Healthcare

I read an interesting article in the Peterborough Examiner last week (November 18, 2008). The article entitled “Home Care Needs Help: New Report”, provides 20 recommendations on how to improve homecare (Isaacson, 2008). The article can be found at: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1301457&auth=FIONA%20ISAACSON,%20EXAMINER%20HEALTH%20WRITER. The topic of seniors and healthcare is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I have been working as a Registered Practical Nurse in a long-term care facility for over 3 years, thus, experiencing the effects of the lack of funding for seniors and the funding strains that the nursing homes are facing all too often. In my opinion, the system has been broken for a very long time.
So I ask myself, how do they propose to implement these recommendations in a time of economic down-turn? Fact is, the baby boomers are getting older and creating a huge aging population. The needs of senior’s health should be a priority. I trust that allowing and assisting seniors to stay in their homes longer will help the current strain on long-term care facilities, but at what expense do we let this happen? I believe and have experienced that we currently have seniors living alone or in subpar conditions. Where is the government in these situations? Too many seniors appear to slipping through the cracks.
Approximately, 9 months ago, I admitted a resident, who had being living in a house with no running water or hydro; he did not have money for food. It stated it took 2 years to get assistance so that he could move to the nursing home. He appeared to be elated and relieved immediately upon arrival, as he said” I am now living in luxury”. Why did it take so long for him to get help? If this is happening now, what will I experience when I get old? Very scary thought!!! Anyone else have any stories or comments about senior’s healthcare?

Reference: Isaacson, F. (2008, November 18). Home care needs help: new report. The Peterborough Examiner, pp. A1.

My Thoughts about the Nursing Shortage in Ontario

Where do I begin? Well I believe that Ontario (well really all of Canada) has a serious healthcare problem, the shortage of all healthcare professionals, of which includes nurses. Nurses are the front line professionals who physically and mentally care for patients. Because of this nurses are critical members of the healthcare team. If nurses provide the bulk of patient care, then why are there nursing shortages? Why do new graduating nurses find it hard to secure a permanent position? I feel that there are several fundamental factors that contribute to the nursing shortage.
The current nursing force is aging so quickly; that the Canadian Nurses Association suggests that Ontario alone will be short something like 70,000 RNs by the year 2011, with the number increasing each year. Check out their website for more interesting but scary statistics. (http://www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/news/releases/public_release_e.aspx?id=62). Lack of government funding also contributes to the shortage. I currently work in long-term care and can see the effects of this on a daily basis. Just last fall, the nursing home that I work in had to terminate one full time nursing position. Due to the loss of one full-time position, the night staff are now forced to work with only 2 nurses in the building instead of 3. Another reason for the nursing shortage could be that the educational requirements are becoming more stringent making it more difficult for students to attain their degree. The RN course used to be taught at the college level taking only 3 years to graduate. Currently, it is taught at University and now takes 4 years to complete. I welcome everyone to comment on this posting. What are your thoughts? Watch the video I have attached, very touching, something to get you thinking.

Reference: Canadian Nurses Association, Canada’s Nursing Shortage Deepens: CNA Study 20/06/2002 Retreived Novemer 15 from,
http://www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/news/releases/public_release_e.aspx?id=62).