Life is very unpredictable. We never know what is going to happen the very next moment. We are habituated to get surprise. Suppose one day you are at office and one phone call comes and gives news like your spouse got hurt badly in a road accident or one of your parents had heart attack or anything that will make you rush immediately to the spot where the incident happened. Next step is to get them hospitalized and start treatment immediately. Again you think for better options of treatment as you don’t like the limited visiting hours at hospital and presence of many other patients and the sick atmosphere of hospital.

At this time the idea of Home Healthcare may come to your mind. But you are confused, not sure about the possibility, the arrangement needed and most importantly not sure whether you can afford it or not. The priority is proper treatment, but for middle class people the cost effectiveness also matters. You don’t want to just spoil it in between means suppose you take the patient home, but after few days you realize that cost is not suiting your budget and again make them return to hospital. This does not look nice.
Let us do a comparative analysis of the cost effectiveness of Home Healthcare in advance in order to take the right decision. There are some important factors to keep in mind.

The first one is the severity of the illness. If the severity of the illness is that much that can be handled at home atmosphere and all the required facilities (blood supply, oxygen supply, supplements supply and all medications, therapies, counseling etc) can be arranged at home, then patient can be taken to home for the treatment. If this is possible then the cost of treatment can be expected to be less compared to hospitalization as the hospital bed rent or cabin rent will not be there.

In hospital doctor checks up the patient at least twice daily irrespective of whether there is any need and fee is obviously added to the bill. However when the patient is at home doctor only can come when needed or only for periodical check up to see the improvement and you have to pay only for those limited visits. But if the severity is more the home healthcare option will not be convenient or cost effective.

Maybe there is a need for extended care. Suppose the patient got initial treatment in hospital, but doctor suggested for extended care up to next 3 months. In that case it will be very costly to bear the hospital expenses for 3 months. And for relatives of the patient it’s not possible at all to visit him/her regularly at hospital. The best option would be the home healthcare. Take all the instructions from doctor and appoint a nurse if necessary and take care of them at home and see them recover in front of you.

Think about the availability of home care services. If your house is in the heart of the city then all the home healthcare services will be at your door step whenever you call them. But this will not be the case if you are located at very distant place and you don’t have easy access to all required facilities. Now if you want to opt for Home Healthcare then you may have to pay more, may be double or thrice the normal charges to get all the facilities at your home. The cost effectiveness becomes zero.

By Christine Crotts

Why is maintaining our health so important? For starters, scientific studies have shown that those who lead a healthy life are more likely to live longer. As if the longer life span isn’t a strong enough incentive, there are consequences for not adhering to the healthy lifestyle. Sicknesses, diseases, and even body pains are the very common symptoms, and they also signify that you haven’t kept your body in tune.

Often times we neglect our health, especially in today’s fast paced work world. We work day in and day out, but we never realize that we are forgetting the number one important thing in our life: our health. We never explicitly tie health to our own happiness, but our health plays a large part in it.

If you want to improve your health, there are several ways to do so. First is active exercise. It could either be jogging, swimming, sports, or even yoga and dance. As long as your body is moving, it is working! Not only does exercise help tone your muscles, but it also allows your internal system to function properly.

Having a consistent workout routine ensures that your body is fit and in shape. Working out is important because a strong body develops a strong immune system. Think of it as building a human shield against viruses and illnesses. Working out is a sure-fire way to enhance your healthy lifestyle.

Second is to eat a balanced and nutritious diet. That includes all the different food groups, as well as regular intakes. Remember to always eat a meal in the morning, so your body can work properly for the rest of the day!

Eating a balanced meal is important to leading a healthy lifestyle. A balanced meal consists of not only eating among the different food groups, but also the right amounts at regular time intervals. It is crucial to eat at least three meals per day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food keeps your brain energized and your bodily functions operable.

Third is to change your daily habits, such as sleeping early and rising early. You may not think these little habits of yours make a difference in the long run, but they are important!

For example, our body needs a certain amount of sleep in order to feel energized on the next day. Experts recommend approximately seven to eight hours of sleep per day. Having a comfortable sleeping environment is also important for building up rest. It might be advisable to look into purchasing the right pillows and beds to ensure the most suitable rest possible.

Also, your psychological make-up is important to supplementing your emotional health lifestyle. Having a strong circle of friends and family will definitely be beneficial during times of stress, pressure, and crisis. Since stress takes a tow on your physical body, don’t put too much unnecessary pressure on yourself.

By Adriana A Noton