Maintaining Bone Health – Quitting Smoking, Limiting Alcohol

beer-cigaretteOther ways to maintain bone health include quitting smoking and limiting alcohol use. Smoking and heavy alcohol use can decrease bone mass and increase the chance of fractures. Also, maintain a healthy weight. Being underweight increases the risk of bone loss and broken bones.

You’re never too old to improve your bone health. A diet that includes enough calcium and vitamin D, and physical activity can help prevent bone loss and fractures. You can also have your bone density tested and ask your doctor about supplements or other medicines to strengthen your bones if needed.

via NIHSeniorHealth: Falls and Older Adults – Maintaining Bone Health.

Control Health Care Costs

bigstock_workers_4569205Workplace health programs can impact health care costs

An investment in employee health may lower health care costs and insurance claims. In fact, employees with more risk factors, including being overweight, smoking and having diabetes, cost more to insure and pay more for health care than people with fewer risk factors.

A workplace health program has the potential to both keep healthy employees in the “low-risk” category by promoting health maintenance, while also targeting those unhealthy employees in the higher-risk categories, therefore lowering overall health insurance costs. A systematic review of 56 published studies of worksite health programs showed that well-implemented workplace health programs can lead to 25% savings each on absenteeism, health care costs, and workers’ compensation and disability management claims costs.

Individual employees can also save money by improving their health. For example, a smoker who spends $5 per pack of cigarettes per day can save $1825 a year by giving up smoking and many companies provide lower insurance premiums for non-smokers creating additional savings.

Other insurance premiums such as life insurance are also lower when an individual has lower health risks. And by practicing a healthy lifestyle and getting recommended clinical preventive services, an individual employee may reduce the number of trips needed to go see the doctor because of an illness and the co-payments which come with those office visits, such as getting an influenza vaccine to avoid getting influenza.

via CDC – Workplace Health – Business Case – Benefits of Health Program – Control Costs.

Healthy Aging

envejecimientoPeople in the U.S. are living longer than ever before. Many seniors live active and healthy lives. But there’s no getting around one thing: as we age, our bodies and minds change. There are things you can do to stay healthy and active as you age:

  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Keep your mind and body active
  • Don’t smoke
  • Get regular checkups
  • Practice safety habits to avoid accidents and prevent falls

via Healthy Aging: MedlinePlus.

Worksite Safety – Incident Prevention

constructionIf you’ve been a safety professional or an operational manager for any significant amount of time, you’ve probably had your share of safety-related incidents. The most significant incidents are usually measured by their consequences. These may result in death, serious injuries, lost or restricted workday cases, OSHA recordable cases, first aid treatment, and/or equipment or property damage. Other incidents are commonly referred to as near misses, where serious consequences like the ones previously listed could potentially have occurred, but, through luck or circumstance, did not. Regardless of the type of incident, there is always one question that is asked afterward: Why did this happen?

via Worksite Safety Articles from Incident Prevention.

Binge Drinking Can Be Dangerous

596596-beerBinge drinking can be dangerous on many different levels, especially for young binge drinkers, possibly affecting their health, brain and emotional well-being.

Binge drinking can increase risks for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. It can affect your ability to plan, pay attention, make decisions, process emotions and control impulses. It also increases your risk of accident, injury and becoming the victim of violence.

via Binge Drinking Dangerous on Many Levels.

Risk Management and the HR Executive

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The HR executive has a vital role in controlling risk. A major component of Risk Management planning is risk avoidance. Many risks can be avoided by controlling and planning the human side of the corporate equation. Succession planning, adequate severance and outplacement, executive coaching and development will ensure that an organization has the means to deal with current and future challenges.

via Innovative Employee Solutions – Knowledge & Resources – Risk Management and the HR Executive.

Maintaining Your AED

AED SignAutomated external defibrillators are simple to use and easy to maintain.  Failing to maintain your AED can lead to disaster on the day it is needed.  Plan to be successful! Universally, all AEDs need the following to be operational when an emergency occurs:

  1. The AED should be checked that it is physically in the proper location.
  2. The AED pads should be checked.  The package should be sealed until ready for use, and it should be within its expiration date.  If the pad package is open or the expiration date has passed, it should be replaced immediately.
  3. The battery should be checked.  For most AEDs, there is an indicator light or symbol that indicates if the battery is o.k. or if it needs service.  Know the battery check mechanism for your AED.  If the battery is low, you should receive both visual and audible warnings many generate a “beep” like a smoke detector with a low battery.
  4. Most AEDs have a small pouch or packet of supplies you might need when using the AED.  This pouch may include a face mask for rescue breathing, a small towel, scissors, protective gloves, and a razor.  Be sure this kit is ready for action.

The AED owner’s manual contains valuable information specific to checking and maintaining your AED—be sure to read and follow the instructions.  AEDs are very reliable devices and problems are very rare, but they can happen.  Your owner’s manual is also a valuable resource for correcting problems with your AED.

It is helpful to have a documented, periodic check of the AED.  Your AED may have come with a checklist for a weekly or monthly check.

Finally, an action plan can help your emergency run smoothly.  If your organization has one, review and practice it periodically.  If not, draft a plan for your company.

via Maintaining Your AED – Project Heart Restart – The Christ Hospital.

Cost of a Bad Hire – HR Risk Management

Unknown1There is no substitute for  sound HR management practices. It makes no difference if you are a professional firm, retail outfit or contractor. It makes no difference if you have 5 employees or 50,000. It makes no difference if you have seasoned HR executives or not. Many companies fail to see the true cost of poor HR practices and don’t embrace the right ones until they get whacked in the head enough times that it begins to hurt!

Great companies don’t wait for the pain, they model best practices. This is not rocket science, it’s just plain common sense.

To calculate the cost of a poor hire click on the link below.

via AnonymousFrom – Cost Calculator.

Staying healthy over 50: Tips for eating well as you age

Senior Woman Eating Healthy SaladAs you age, your relationship to food may change along with your body. A decreased metabolism, changes in taste and smell, and slower digestion may affect your appetite, the foods you can eat, and how your body processes food. The key is to figure out how to adapt to your changing needs. Now, more than ever, healthy eating is important to maintain your energy and health.

  • Load up on high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Your whole digestive system does slow as you age, so fiber is very important. Consume fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, fruit, and vegetables. They will help you feel more energetic and give you fuel to keep going.
  • Put effort into making your food look and taste good. Your taste buds may not be as strong and your appetite may not be the same, but your nutritional needs are just as important as ever. If you don’t enjoy eating like you used to, put a little more effort into your meals, including the way you flavor, prepare, and present your food.
  • Watch out for dehydration. Because of physical changes, older adults are more prone to dehydration. So make sure you are drinking plenty of fluid, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you’re not getting enough water, you’re not going to be as sharp and your energy will suffer.
  • Make meals a social event. It’s more enjoyable to eat with others than alone. If you live alone, invite other people over. It’s a great way to stay in touch with friends and you can share cooking and cleanup duties.

via Staying Healthy Over 50: How to Feel Young and Live Life to the Fullest.

Chain of Survival

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The term Chain of Survival provides a useful metaphor for the elements of the Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) systems concept.

The 5 links in the adult Chain of Survival are:

  • Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system
  • Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR with an emphasis on chest compressions
  • Rapid defibrillation
  • Effective advanced life support
  • Integrated post-cardiac arrest care

A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of heart attack, stroke and other emergencies.

via Chain of Survival.