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What Is Critical Illness Insurance And Why Do I Need It?

September 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Alberto Martinez

With up to 20% of men and 17% of women experiencing a critical illness before they reach 65 years of age, critical illness insurance is more important than it might seem at first glance. Many people believe that critical illness insurance is an unnecessary expense, but in fact, statistics like these show that it’s more likely that the average person will suffer a critical illness before the age of 65 than they are to die.

Comparing and Understanding Critical Illness Policies

With more than 60 insurance providers offering two hundred different policies, choosing the one that’s right for you can be difficult. More than anything else, getting good critical illness insurance requires very close inspection of your policy. All insurers issue what are called Key Features Documents, which allow you to compare policies fairly easily. Examine these documents closely to determine which provide the best definitions of illnesses covered and value for the money.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this is making sure you’re aware of exactly what your policy does and does not cover. This type of error is the number one reason that critical illness claims get rejected, so understanding the insurance policy options you have is vital when it comes to choosing the one that will suit your needs the best.

Another related factor that’s important to consider is simply the range of illnesses that the policy covers. Choosing the cheapest plan may look good on paper, but the least expensive plan is likely to offer limited cover that simply doesn’t protect you against the illnesses you’re most likely to face. However, choosing one that’s too broad, one that covers exotic diseases you’re unlikely to encounter is pointless for most people, and selecting a policy of this kind will simply mean you’re paying premiums that are unnecessarily high.

Guaranteed and Reviewable Premiums

Buying a policy with a guaranteed rather than a reviewable premium can help keep your insurance costs down. A guaranteed policy means your insurance company promises that they’ll never increase the size of your premium. A reviewable policy is just that-the insurance company can periodically review your policy, and increase your premiums. If your policy is a short term one, choosing a reviewable policy can save you some money. However, while the reviewable policy is cheaper in the short term, the premium cost will be increased over that of an equivalent guaranteed policy within seven to ten years and within another ten years, could be more than twice that of the guaranteed policy.

Other Factors to Consider

Choosing a good policy also means looking out for extra advantages such as automatic coverage for your children. Not all policies offer this, but with child-related critical illness the sixth most common claim, this is a very useful way of protecting your children as well as yourself.

Finally, consider taking out life insurance and critical illness cover together, rather than simply getting one or the other. Purchasing the two together is always more cost-effective than buying separate policies, and it’s also much better value to buy these types of insurance when you’re young and healthy, and are eligible for less expensive premium rates.

Filed Under: Child Health Services Tagged With: , , ,

What Parents Need To Know About Their Kids Nutrition Now

June 13, 2011 by 1 Comment

In this article I would like to discuss several tips, tricks, and tactics that just about any parent can use to help figure out whether or not their kid is eating as nutritiously as they should, and what they should do about it if they aren’t.

One of the biggest difficulties parents have, especially newer parents, is getting their kids to eat at all, let alone getting them to eat a nutritious diet. You would be amazed at the different extremes some children will go through to get out of eating foods they don’t like. Unfortunately nutrition is an incredibly important part of any developing child’s life and it’s not something that we can just pass off and not worry about and that is what I’d like to talk about in this article today.

Let’s start out with breakfast. What exactly can a parent do to get their kid to eat a good breakfast when the kids says they’re not hungry? The fact of the matter is that some children really aren’t hungry when they first wake up in the morning.

These kids appetites usually surface around the middle of the morning. If this describes your kid then don’t insist that they eat in the morning before they leave the house. Pack some snacks that the child can eat in the car or on the bus on the way to school. Things like granola bars or juice boxes or cheese and crackers and fruit are perfect for this sort of thing.

What about vitamins? Should children take a daily multivitamin? If your kid eats a varied diet that is already well balanced and nutritious then they definitely do not need to take a multivitamin. If on the other hand you have a stubborn child who does not eat well and won’t eat breakfast, you may consider giving them a multivitamin. At the very least, it won’t do them any harm. You should give them the vitamin either at supper or at breakfast because food will help the body to absorb vitamins better.

What should you do when your child refuses to eat vegetables? This is a tricky one and you can often substitute fruit to good effect. Also try substituting different grains for vegetables. Things like pasta or rice sometimes work better. You might also try preparing the vegetables differently. Try steaming them instead of cooking them for instance. Some children will only eat one or two different vegetables. That’s fine! Feed them that vegetable over and over again.

When you come right down to it, almost all children have a sort of internal food regulator that tells them when and what to eat. This can often be genetically programmed and really operates on a level where the kid doesn’t even realize it… subconsciously. Your childs eating habits will change over time and bad habits will disappear for the most part on their own. As long as you’re not feeding them nothing but candy all the time, you really should be okay.

There you have several tips, tricks, and techniques that you can use to make sure your child eats more nutritious foods to promote a more healthy childhood.

Filed Under: Healthy Child Tagged With: , , , , , ,

30 Million Children Need Emergency Care Each Year.

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that an emergency exists if you think your child could die or suffer permanent harm unless care is received right away. Most parents feel they are prepared for emergencies because they know when and how to call 9-1-1. But often, that isn’t enough. Your child may need care before emergency medical service personnel arrive. And being prepared can assure your child isn’t further harmed by doing the wrong thing. The Emergency Medical Services for Children, a program of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, has 10 tips to help you be better prepared…because no matter how hard you try to protect your children-emergencies happen. 

1. CHECK IF 9-1-1 IS THE RIGHT NUMBER TO CALL. Some areas of the country do not have 9-1-1. Others have E-9-1- 1 where your address is automatically stored in a database. Make sure you know what’s available where you live and work.

2. KEEP A WELL-STOCKED FIRST-AID KIT ON HAND. From minor cuts and bruises to sunburn and sprains, a good first-aid kit is a great first line of defense. To learn what makes a good first-aid kit, contact your health care provider, local pharmacy or the American Red Cross.

3. MAKE A LIST OF EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS. Write down the numbers you need in a family emergency plan that is easy to access at all times.

4. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WHO TO CALL AND WHAT TO SAY. Make sure your children know where the phone numbers are for emergency help and poison control. If they call 9-1-1, the operator will ask, “Fire, Police or Ambulance/Rescue?” Tell your child to stay on the line while the call is transferred. When the appropriate agency picks up, the emergency operator will ask for name, address, telephone number and details. He or she will want to know what has happened, when it happened, where it happened and who is involved. Teach your child not to hang up unless told to do so. The emergency operator may be able to offer help over the phone.

5. MAKE SURE YOUR HOUSE NUMBER IS VISIBLE FROM THE STREET. Make it easy for police, fire officials or emergency medical personnel to find your house. Put large house numbers in a highly visible area. Make sure the numbers are well-lit and can be seen at night. Make sure they can be seen from the street in either direction.

6. KEEP A CLEAR AND UP-TO-DATE RECORD OF IMMUNIZATIONS. This can help doctors do a better job of diagnosing a problem in an emergency. For example, if your child has a bad infection, and the doctor knows your child has been vaccinated against Hepatitis, the doctor can rule that out. This can save time.

7. WRITE DOWN MEDICAL CONDITIONS, MEDICATIONS AND DOSAGES. Develop an emergency plan to hold all important information, including numbers and medical history. Being prepared in advance can help assure proper treatment and prevent serious drug interactions.

8. MAKE A LIST OF ALLERGIES AND REACTIONS. The emergency plan should also include a place to write this information down. It will help ensure that health care professionals don’t use medicines that can hurt your child. And, it might help emergency medical personnel find a reason for problems such as seizures or shortness of breath. If any of your children have severe drug allergies or chronic conditions, we recommend they wear Medical I.D. bracelets.

9. IF YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, CHECK YOUR EMERGENCY COVERAGE. Check your policy in advance. Some insurance companies require that you call first for approval. Make sure you understand your policy, and carry all necessary cards and phone numbers with you.

10. TAKE FIRST-AID CLASSES. A basic class will teach CPRand proper ways to treat burns, wrap sprains, apply splints and perform the Heimlich maneuver. Remember, if you take time now, you won’t lose precious time when your child’s life could depend on it. It’s a good idea to ask everyone who takes care of your children to take these classes, including babysitters, relatives and day care providers. Your pediatrician, local hospital, fire department and local chapter of the Red Cross can tell you about classes. 1. CHECK IF 9-1-1 IS THE RIGHT NUMBER TO CALL. Some areas of the country do not have 9-1-1. Others have E-9-1- 1 where your address is automatically stored in a database. Make sure you know what’s available where you live and work.

2. KEEP A WELL-STOCKED FIRST-AID KIT ON HAND. From minor cuts and bruises to sunburn and sprains, a good first-aid kit is a great first line of defense. To learn what makes a good first-aid kit, contact your health care provider, local pharmacy or the American Red Cross.

3. MAKE A LIST OF EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS. Write down the numbers you need in a family emergency plan that is easy to access at all times.

4. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WHO TO CALL AND WHAT TO SAY. Make sure your children know where the phone numbers are for emergency help and poison control. If they call 9-1-1, the operator will ask, “Fire, Police or Ambulance/Rescue?” Tell your child to stay on the line while the call is transferred. When the appropriate agency picks up, the emergency operator will ask for name, address, telephone number and details. He or she will want to know what has happened, when it happened, where it happened and who is involved. Teach your child not to hang up unless told to do so. The emergency operator may be able to offer help over the phone.

5. MAKE SURE YOUR HOUSE NUMBER IS VISIBLE FROM THE STREET. Make it easy for police, fire officials or emergency medical personnel to find your house. Put large house numbers in a highly visible area. Make sure the numbers are well-lit and can be seen at night. Make sure they can be seen from the street in either direction.

6. KEEP A CLEAR AND UP-TO-DATE RECORD OF IMMUNIZATIONS. This can help doctors do a better job of diagnosing a problem in an emergency. For example, if your child has a bad infection, and the doctor knows your child has been vaccinated against Hepatitis, the doctor can rule that out. This can save time.

7. WRITE DOWN MEDICAL CONDITIONS, MEDICATIONS AND DOSAGES. Develop an emergency plan to hold all important information, including numbers and medical history. Being prepared in advance can help assure proper treatment and prevent serious drug interactions.

8. MAKE A LIST OF ALLERGIES AND REACTIONS. The emergency plan should also include a place to write this information down. It will help ensure that health care professionals don’t use medicines that can hurt your child. And, it might help emergency medical personnel find a reason for problems such as seizures or shortness of breath. If any of your children have severe drug allergies or chronic conditions, we recommend they wear Medical I.D. bracelets.

9. IF YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, CHECK YOUR EMERGENCY COVERAGE. Check your policy in advance. Some insurance companies require that you call first for approval. Make sure you understand your policy, and carry all necessary cards and phone numbers with you.

10. TAKE FIRST-AID CLASSES. A basic class will teach CPRand proper ways to treat burns, wrap sprains, apply splints and perform the Heimlich maneuver. Remember, if you take time now, you won’t lose precious time when your child’s life could depend on it. It’s a good idea to ask everyone who takes care of your children to take these classes, including babysitters, relatives and day care providers. Your pediatrician, local hospital, fire department and local chapter of the Red Cross can tell you about classes. 

Filed Under: Child Health Services Tagged With: , , , , , ,

urgent need for child care

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 ABOUT PARENTING AND  PREGNANCY


 There is a need to differentiate between pregnancy and parenting.
Pregnancy occurs before childbirth. Parenting occurs after childbirth. Naturally, if there is no pregnancy, there is no need for parenting.
Normally, both male and female couples decide when to become pregnant.
But nowadays, pregnancy has become an extremely sensitive issue because it is the cause for unnecessary childbirths and unwanted increases in the human population.

Women can become pregnant due to having sex with their male partners. It can happen as many times as wanted. Thus they can give rise to many new born babies.

The more the number of babies that are born the more the woman will be burdened to take care of those babies.
The babies must be grown according to their requirements like proper food, environment, and so on. This has to take place for at least 3 years. After that the babies grow up to become young children. They gradually learn to understand the world.
Parents must teach by examples what to do and how to do. It means that they have to tell and do things repeatedly and also tell their young children to do the same. For example,    they   could  be taught  how   to chew   and eat food, go to   bathroom, how   to    walk how to   lie down,    and wash their hands on. Teaching babies how to walk is very dangerous because the legs of a very young baby are too weak. It must be delayed a bit.
The children may be taken out of the house a few times. But long exposure is not safe. The interior of the house is best and safe for young babies.
No distinction must be made between male and female babies.
Great care must be taken for at least 3 years. When the babies grow big enough then it can be decided to select them for kindergarten schooling.
Schooling must be considered only when the baby is able to walk properly, and also talk and think.
But early schooling is also the cause fiord ore trouble for the baby -child. It is because they still have a weak and fragile body and mind.
To enforce them    to learn does not sound good to me.
I think we have to wait for a few more years before deciding for schooling.
I studied kindergarten level at the age of 4 and 5.
I do not   know   what I studied. I kept going to   school    for   as long as I   was required.

Then I joined primary school at the age of 6. I failed once in the primary level. It was because there was no guidance or teaching for me.
It was because I Was exposed to a sudden tough high level of learning at such a young age. I had to study, maths, and also two languages.

The children come to know the world only when they cross the age 5.
They are dependant on their parents for everything. The so called good and bad qualities of children do not come all of a sudden.
They come not only due to parenting but also the outside world. For example, parents know that young children must not smoke and drink. It means that there should not do those things themselves in the sight of children.
They must also not expose young children to the television as it can cause shocks to their weak hearts. Computers also must be abandoned.
It must be Maintained until their children reaches the age 15.
Afterwards, the children will gradually become mature enough to realize what is good and what is bad.
Young children need not have to understand the world all of a sudden or within a short period. Parents need not be in a hurry up mood to make their children become mature, behave and act properly.
Maybe continuous explaining for a few years can make them realize good and bad things.
There should be good family backing and support to encourage and support their children to make them understand things.
The children who mature fast will succeed in life soon. For others, it will be a slow walk.
Self-realization will come only after tee children encounters a lot of sufferings, ordeals, pains so on.
Parents must continue to provide moral support.
When parents find fault in their child’s behavior or action they must immediately tell them to correct it and do things the right way.

The situation becomes totally complicated in case of mentally handicapped children.
There is a need to differentiate between pregnancy and parenting.
Pregnancy occurs before childbirth. Parenting occurs after childbirth. Naturally, if there is no pregnancy, there is no need for parenting.
Normally, both male and female couples decide when to become pregnant.
But nowadays,

Pregnancy has become an extremely sensitive issue because it is the cause for unnecessary childbirths and unwanted increases in the human population.
Women can become pregnant due to having sex with their male partners. It can happen as many times as wanted. Thus they can give rise to many new born babies.

The more the number of babies that are born the more the woman will be burdened to take care of those babies.

The babies must be grown according to their requirements like proper food, environment, and so on. This has to take place for at least 3 years. After that the babies grow up to become young children. They gradually learn to understand the world.
Thus, parents must make sure their children go through the early stages of life safely, without any mishaps, accidents and diseases.

Poverty at young age is very disturbing for the growth of children.
In that case parents find it difficult to look after all their children’s needs.
Poverty can lead to malnutrition and non – communicable diseases.
So the parents must know their own strengths and weaknesses beforehand, as far as growing children is concerned.
They must be capable of supporting the growth of their children; otherwise they should have not given birth to them, in the first place.

It is a pity that many parents do not realize this and pay the price for it, later on.

Filed Under: Child Care Tagged With: , , ,