How To Choose eCommerce Software

How To Choose eCommerce Software

By now, most businesses have realized that they can reap a lot of rewards by integrating ecommerce software into their company site or to host a different site as an online store. While the financial benefits and convenient customer experience of ecommerce software have been proven across industries, companies still need to ponder over the choice of ecommerce software they should go with.

First, there is a choice between open source ecommerce software and hosted solutions. Then, following the decision of going with either one, one would have to plan extensively on what kind of interface, features, payment options, associated facilities and integrated utilities the ecommerce software should have.

To decide whether open source ecommerce software is better or worse than hosted solutions or software as a service, one only needs to look at the key differences. Open source ecommerce software is a little expensive to develop but can be developed into exactly the kind of online shopping cart or store that you wish to have for your company. Hosted solutions or software as a service comes cheap since there is only a monthly fee and no major initial investment or the need of hiring PHP programmers or developers to create the online store. Furthermore, with hosted solutions one can see the interfaces and all the features of the cart that would be there. With open source ecommerce software one has to develop it, test it and then see for real how the cart has shaped up. The open source option is best for companies who have their own programmers or an external developer team, trusted and cost effective, to create a unique shopping portal. The hosted solution works best for those who wish to have an immediate solution and do not wish to take the hassles of developing the ecommerce software.

Whichever route a company takes, there has to be some standard elements in the ecommerce software that are expected by customers today. For instance, there should be different payment options including credit card, payment gateways like PayPal, MasterCard or a prepaid card. Some businesses opt for cash on delivery as well. There should be minimal information needed from the customer to complete the purchase. The layout of the interface of the cart should be such that it is easy to browse and latest, in stock products should be aligned at the front. There should be real time updates, auto responders, newsletters and the company should be able to make changes, add or amend details as and when necessary.

If you can get all these features from any ecommerce software and the costs are acceptable to you, then you should go with it.

Short On Time? Have Nutritious Meals Home Delivered For Your Loved One

Are you an elderly caregiver looking for more "ME" time? Hot & nutritious home-delivered meals from Norwood Seniors Network are a perfect way to free up some of your day. Please visit www.NorwoodSeniorsNetwork.org/home.delivered.meals to learn more.

A Home for Grandma- When To Know Your Parents Need Assisted Care

A Home for Grandma


 When you have a senior parent, the concern for their ability to maintain their lifestyle can be a significant worry. Almost without exception, senior citizens resist the idea of moving out of their house and into an assisted living facility or nursing home. You as a child of a senior citizen may see issues of safety if your aging parent continues to live independently. If their spouse has passed on, there may be issues of loneliness and depression. Hallways and doors of old homes are often not built to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs. And the vision of your children’s Grandma or Grandpa falling and being unable to reach you for help is frightening. And then there is the financial side of maintaining their home and paying the mortgage if it is still active. So the question is whether you should try to help your aging parent with moving on to an assisted care facility or if it can be worked out for them to stay in their home. There are some compelling reasons to help them stay in the house they have lived in for so long if there are ways to overcome the problems. Studies show conclusively that senior citizens that live in their own homes are happier and healthier. Your parents may have long lasting friendships in the neighborhood who provide tremendous emotional support and can look in on your parent from time to time to assure they are safe. And the ability to get out in the yard, feed the birds, keep a pet or tend a small garden has untold health benefits both mentally and physically for a senior citizen. Steps can be taken to provide for the unique needs of a senior citizen if you want to work with them to keep them in their home. The family and friends of the senior citizen can take on the chores of upkeep of the home, yard work and repairs so the home continues to remain safe and viable as a living space. This also reduces the expenses of home ownership. It is very likely that from a financial point of view, you can work with your senior citizen to reduce the costs of staying in their home. If they still have a mortgage, the outstanding balance may be quite low but the payment still high. By working with the mortgage company, you may be able to refinance the loan to drop the payment considerably and make it more affordable even than living in assisted care or a nursing home. You can also work with utilities companies and credit sources who may have programs to assist the elderly in owning their own home. By utilizing the resources already in place, you may be able to get your aging parents costs into a reasonable range and help them establish a budget that allow them to live comfortably on social security and whatever retirement funds they have. You can also find home nursing care and put good technology to use to make it possible for your parent to have quality care in the home and to have the resources to be able to reach out to you in the event of an emergency. Services like these do well at providing for the needs of senior citizens so they can virtually spend the entire remainder of their years living in their home where they are happy.

Planning A Senior Golf Vacation Many senior golf players enjoy getting away by planning a golfing vacation. Whether you play golf regularly or just once and awhile, a golf vacation is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors just like the pros. The senior golf pros play golf for many of the same reasons the amateurs do, they love the game and enjoy traveling to new golf courses. The more you play and learn, the better you become at playing. Understanding what clubs to use and when is also important. A travel agent or an online travel site will be a good place to start if you are planning a senior golf vacation. You want to find a course that offers a challenge as well as some great people to meet. You might even consider playing a game at some the courses where the pros give lessons or play a leisurely round of golf just like you. You can look through brochures or websites to see exactly where to plan your next golfing vacation. When you plan a golfing vacation, you usually find a package deal that includes hotel accommodations, golfing and other related rewards to your vacation. You might even enjoy a day of lessons from some pros. Senior golf is an enjoyable sport that sees no age limit as with other sports. This sport is for all ages, the more you play, and with a few good tips, you gradually improve your game. If you plan your senior golf outing at the right time, you might even find that the weather is just right for playing. After all that is why the pros use these courses to stay in the game. You could find yourself right in front or behind some of the most reputable players in the world. This sure would enhance the golfing vacation. You can choose where and when to travel, but if it happens to be in an area where the Senior Open is going on, you could also spend a day watching how they perform. Some golf courses even have there own resort hotels, which makes tee time no problem. If you plan your golf vacation, make sure to schedule a tee time so you do not miss out on the experience of playing golf away from home on a new course. This is the most exciting part about planning a golf vacation. You might consider a senior golf outing to the Jack Nicholas Golf Course down in Florida. This course is considered a prime golf course that offers a challenge for any player. If you find yourself intrigued with the course and need more time, you might even consider a condominium right by the course so your vacation can become permanent. You are going to see many different courses you can plan a vacation around looking for information about the top courses is found on the Internet. Start your search with "Championship Golf Courses" and see where the pros keep up with their game and stay in shape.

Feeding Problems in the Elderly

Feeding problems in elderly patients

19 April, 2001

VOL: 97, ISSUE: 16, PAGE NO: 60

Roger Weetch, RN, DipHS, is staff nurse, Bradford Royal Infirmary
A nutritionally sound diet has been shown to be an important factor in healthy ageing (Evans, 1994). Up to 40% of acute hospital patients are malnourished (McWhirter and Pennington, 1994). Some of them may be admitted in this condition, others become malnourished while in hospital (Association of Community Health Councils England and Wales, 1997).

A nutritionally sound diet has been shown to be an important factor in healthy ageing (Evans, 1994). Up to 40% of acute hospital patients are malnourished (McWhirter and Pennington, 1994). Some of them may be admitted in this condition, others become malnourished while in...Read More Here

Foreclosure Means Eviction of Elder Care Homes by Senior Citizen Housing Staff on October 20, 2010

A loophole in California’s law means senior citizen housing facilities don’t have to give notice to residents when owners are facing foreclosure, according to a New York Times article. This can cause an undue burden on patients and loved ones, especially those who require the most amount of care.

The article reports about an appalling scene where the Sheriff’s office showed up to execute an eviction notice at a board-and-care home for the elderly and found several bedridden patients and their distressed loved ones still trying to make last-minute transfer arrangements to other facilities. It appeared no one had given them notice.

“We got a call from Adult Protective Services letting us know that the house we were evicting had four or five bedridden residents, and the guy was ignoring the eviction notice,” the Sheriff’s Sergeant recalled. “I couldn’t believe it had gone this far.”

While there’s no way of knowing how many times this scene has played out, the newspaper’s research revealed that over 100 elder-care homes went through foreclosure in the San Francisco Bay Area during the six-month period from October 2009 to April 2010, which may have resulted in the eviction of some 700 residents, many of whom require help with basic daily living activities, and some of whom received no notification.

Transfer trauma refers to the stress experienced, both physically and mentally, by patients who have to be relocated. Research has shown that the severity of transfer trauma varies with the type of transfer, the mental and physical frailty of the patient, and their readiness for relocation.

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), a non-profit organization advocating for quality of life issues of California’s long-term care population, cosponsored legislation that would have required residents be given notice long before evictions could be carried out on unwitting patients and their loved ones. Among other things, the bill called for:

Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) to give notice to all residents and their loved ones of any foreclosure proceedings as they are initiated. Read More Here: http://www.seniorcitizenhousing.org/foreclosure-means-eviction-of-elder-care-homes/

Are You Looking For An Adult Family Care Home For Sale?

I have found some realtors that specialize in Adult Family Care Homes in Washington state. They list homes that are currently filled, licensed and empty as well as homes that are potential AFH's. I will put their link at the end of this post. If you are looking to purchase, these realtors might be your best net as this is what they specialize in. I have never met them, only found their site online and looked through it. It looks like a very well laid out and organized web site, easy to find what you are looking for. I saw that they have homes listed south and north of Seattle.

GO TO THE REAL ESTATE SITE

If you have any questions about buying or leasing an AFH, email me at afhwa@yahoo.com and i will do my best to help answer you, as I have been licensed in Real Estate in both Oregon and Washington and have been through AFH rehabs and retrofits.

Again, here is the link to the Real Estate web site

Click Here

Tips To Prevent Loneliness

A whole lot of active adults don’t like the idea of going to live in places just like Assisted Living Decatur. To them, this assisted living Decatur arrangement is not the ideal method to live, simply because they have a belief that it is a very lonely and also isolated method to exist. Well, we think otherwise. We say that loneliness is a state of mind. You don’t have to be lonely if you don’t want to, yet it’s up to you to take those necessary measures and reach out to others. In a place just like Assisted Living Decatur home, we’ll show you what to do to throw loneliness out the window!

1. Make an effort to talk to your fellow residents – There’s a saying that goes, share a seat and win a friend. Well, this ought to be your mantra. You’re a lot more than sharing a seat, you’re also sharing a whole new home, hence there isn’t any reason on earth why you can’t be...READ MORE HERE

Each week starting this next week, I will be uploading blank FORMS that you may find useful in your Adult Family Care Home Business. I will upload at least one a week. You may download these forms to use as you wish in your business. They may be forms for admission, charting, Policies, etc. These are all forms that I created for my business and have been used by many others that I have networked and shared with.
Stay Tuned :)
I look forward to sharing useful tools and info with all of you business owners ♥
If you want to make sure to get in on receiving these "Forms", you can send me an email at afhwa@yahoo.com and put 'Forms" in the subject line :) I will send you each form as I publish it :)
Be sure to tell your AFH friends and associates about the FREE forms and other Helpful tools and info I will be posting weekly.

Software For Seniors! Great Idea!

This is a link to a site that has software for seniors...making it easier for them to use the internet and computer...Just follow this link CLICK HERE

 Here is What their site has to say:

Senior-friendly PC in Minutes!

- Awarded "Best Gift for Seniors 2012" by GeeksAdvice™

Seniorama Pointer™ makes computers simple and easy for seniors to use. If you're looking for the perfect gift for your aging parents or relatives - you came to the right place. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Incredible value. Get it now!

Designed for elderly PC users. Easy-to-use navigation and interface let the elderly users enjoy a new world of experience.

Customizable font/size settings. Perfect for people with limited eyesight and various other disabilities.

Unique web browsing application helps elderly users browse the internet with ease and comfort. Easy-email access included!

Elderly suited games, Skype app with video, phone, text chat, full screen photo albums and much more.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2012


Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
Health insurance rate hikes in nine states deemed excessive by HHS

Secretary Sebelius calls on insurance companies to drop unreasonable rate hikes

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that health insurance premium increases in nine states have been deemed “unreasonable” under the rate review authority granted by the Affordable Care Act.

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act consumers are no longer in the dark about their health insurance premiums," said Secretary Sebelius. "Now, insurance companies are required to justify rate increases of 10 percent or higher. It’s time for these companies to immediately rescind these unreasonable rate hikes, issue refunds to consumers or publicly explain their refusal to do so."

Secretary Sebelius also released a new report today showing that, six months after ...Read More Here

Patients can be discharged from a hospital because of many different reasons, such as having been determined to be medically well enough to leave, or they may also be discharged because of being transferred to another facility. Additionally, there are some instances when patients may request to sign themselves out against doctors orders. No matter what the reason a patient is being discharged, they are usually given explicit medical instructions which will help continue their medical care once they return home. Sometimes when a person is being discharged there will have to be special arrangements made, such as physical therapy appointments or possibly home health care visits.

For an elderly patient many of the standard medical issues with discharge are raised to a much higher level of concern, since the elderly person may have no one to help them after they have returned home. It is important when an elderly person is leaving the hospital that a full assessment of what the elderly person will need once having left the hospital is made, and relayed to the...Read More Here

A Fun Activity for Elderly

Pride in the home: Flower arranging

Residents can create floral displays for the entrance (for those with any experience in flower
arranging this will be easier). Those who struggle can do posies for the dining table. This
activity can grow with residents taking an interest in what colour schemes and which flowers
to choose. Residents can even plant bulbs for the spring, which then gives even more
activities ideas, such as selling planted bulbs for charity, giving planted bulbs to family and
friends as gifts and entering local spring flower shows.

Equipment needed
 Flowers
 A vase
 Flower arranging tools, such as wire, wire cutters and pedestal.




Instructions

1. Start with leaves and arrange them to create some structure.
2. Then add the largest flowers first. A general rule is add odd numbers of flowers as
this makes arranging easier.
3. Once you’ve added fully open flowers add buds that are not yet open.
4. Finally, add any others bits of grass and other items to make the arrangement look
good.

A great Activity For the Elderly

Super Smells

A perfect game to reinvigorate the senses. Super smells is the ideal for people with sensory
or memory problems as it helps people reminisce about pervious trips/experiences.
Equipment needed
Paper cups
Blind fold (a dark scarf would be sufficient)
A variety of strong smelling flavors
Pen
Paper

When selecting the strong smelling ingredients try to think about the certain theme
or memory. For example using Vinegar and Vanilla could provoke a memory of a
seaside holiday.


Instructions

1. Place a different strong smelling ingredient in each cup
2. Blindfold each person then get them to record their answer.
3. Then allow them to smell all the pots again with their eyes open.
4. See if the answers have changed then reveal the results

Fun Activities for Those With Limited Mobilities

A complete guide for Excercises for the Senior

We all know the importance of exercise. But exercise for seniors is just as, if not more important. It's crucial to keep joints moving and muscles from shrinking or becoming sore or inflamed. There are so many more health issues we encounter as we age and exercise is crucial to the health of the body especially in the senior years.

I found this guide on the internet that is easily downloaded right to your computer. It explains the best exercises for many health issues along with instructions on how to perform them correctly.
It’s Never Too Late to Be Fit, is an exercise program written by a doctor and a personal trainer exclusively for seniors.

A Complete Guide to Exercise for Seniors

The book features easy-to-follow instructions with pictures demonstrating each move. Each exercise is accompanied by an explanation of what muscles it is working and how strengthening that muscle will help you in your daily life.

The program will take you through a complete workout, from warm-up to cool-down. The book gives tips on exercising correctly and covers common concerns such as balance and exercises to help prevent falling. If you have conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or arthritis you can still exercise by following the program’s special guidelines for people with these conditions.

For all Fitness Levels

Regardless of whether you’ve never exercised in your life or if you are already active, this book is for you. Each exercise can be modified for the beginner, intermediate or advanced athlete. As you grow stronger by following the program you can advance through the stages.

 If you would like more info on how to obtain this guide Click Here for more INFO

FREEBIES for Seniors!!

I wanted to pass this resource along to everyone that wishes to find great free deals for those over 55

Dear Friend, Are you over 55... or do you have a loved one who is? Then you'd better take a close look at this! Every year Uncle Sam gives away hundreds of millions of dollars in cash, goods, and services to people just like you. All this free stuff however, is perhaps one of America's best kept secrets. Why?.....

Click Here to Read more

Tips That can Make All The Difference if You Have Heart Problems

Here are some important tips for anyone with a Heart Condition: These tips could be the difference in being able to keep you alive with the best and quickest care possible.

The first tip is  
Keep a Copy of your medical history, medications, emergency contacts.
If you are experiencing an emergency, you may not be able to supply the emergency technicians with the information they need. This list should have all information that you feel necessary for the emergency team to know. Please include any Allergies you have!

Always keep extra medications on hand.
You never know when there could be a natural disaster or emergency so it is wise to keep these extra meds in a safe, easy location to access in the event of disaster. Going without your medications could be just as dangerous as the disaster itself. Keep atleast an extra weeks worth.


Wear an emergency bracelet. 
If anything were to cause you to not be able to speak, this bracelet will alert those that are assisting you know what could possibly be wrong and how to help. This bracelet should not only state your illness, but also allergies!


Make sure those around you the most often learn CPR
Its very important for those with you to know CPR to assist you in case of emergency. This easy to learn treatment can be a lifesaver!


Put 911 on your speed dial.
In case of emergency, you may need the most simple way to contact emergency services. Another great device is a personal alarm ( I had reviewed these on this site a while back and you can use the link in the right hand column to access companies that sell these devices) These are great especially if someone can't always be with your loved one.


The last tip that I feel is especially important is
Always keep some of your heart meds on you when you leave the house. Taking meds as early as you can during a heart attack can save tissue which could otherwise be damaged if meds are not given soon enough. Make sure to label them correctly so those around you will know which to give in an emergency.


Have a great day Caregivers!

Travel without Leaving Home

Good morning caregivers.
One thing that is always difficult is trying to travel with an elderly loved one. I have found a way to share travels with your senior loved one that you care for. With technology as advanced as it is, many cities are putting information about their destination onto CD's & DVD's. You can go online and find the tourism centers for whatever location you are interested in and request their travel information. Many will send you paper info along with Cd's & DVD's.
Use these to share with your loved one. The videos point out great points of interest, beautiful and interesting places to see. It's almost like being there. I used these for activities in my facility. Some times we would have theme weeks and these DVD's/locations  were a part of our theme. It was very enjoyable to the seniors. It was especially enjoyable to get information on locations that my patients had either lived or visited. They recognized places and that led to reminiscing therapy.
I have a link here to one site that had put together several of these travel info kit sites that you can visit and request information on their location. When you get to the site, scroll down the page and click on "Travel" in the left hand column Click Here