Kidney Disease Risk Factors Go Unaddressed
Significant risk factors for chronic kidney disease CKD are not being addressed in the United States, according to a report of the National Kidney Foundation s NKF Kidney Early Evaluation Program KEEP . This report summarized health information of 37,000 individuals who are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors include diabetes, hypertension or a family history of kidney disease. Half of the participants in the report had CKD, yet only two percent were aware of it. Those with the disease tend to have other serious health problems, such as obesity and anemia. Awareness of risk factors and the need for screening can go a long way toward early detection and prevention of kidney disease, says Allan Collins, MD, president-elect of the NKF and director of the KEEP Data Coordinating Center. Ninety percent of KEEP participants reported visiting their doctors in the last 12 months, continues Collins, yet most were not aware that they could be at risk for chronic kidney disease. The...
New Program Revitalizes Hospice Care For Alzheimer S Patients
Yoga practitioners are probably familiar with the phrase Namaste, which is used to greet fellow practitioners at the end of every yoga session. When the phrase is accompanied with hands pressed together, prayer-like, and a small bow, it is an Indian equivalent of a Western handshake, but it is also more than that. It signifies a humble acknowledgement of and reverence for the spirit or spark of divinity in a fellow human being. The Namaste program, a new program for patients in the final stage of Alzheimer s Disease, strives to respect the inner spirit of dementia patients facing the end of their life by utilizing the resources of family and staff within nursing homes in a unique way.The program does not call for more people or money. Instead, it requires specialized training, caring and creative staff, and a willingness to implement simple activities into dementia patients final days that will honor their life and their death. In a case study that the Namaste program s creator...
When Only The Best Boutique Hotels Will Do
There are times when you want to splash out and immerse yourself in luxury. Boutique hotels are the ideal places for understated opulence. Whilst many boutique hotels fall easily into the affordable bracket, there are several whose sole purpose is to provide a discreet, private oasis, where your every need is met and you want for nothing. These hotels may cost more than you re used to spending, but by the end of your stay, you ll be working out how long it will be before you can afford to come back. What is it about these chic hotels that makes them so desirable. Thought The essence of hotels at the top end of the boutique market is in the thought, planning and detail that goes into their preparation and day-to-day management. Hotels like these aren t built overnight; they are the result of months and even years of planning, design and travel, sourcing the right materials, the right furniture and the right accessories. Discovering the elements that make up a true boutique retreat...