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Editorials/Columns
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Opinions expressed on editorial pages of this newspaper by Columnists or Guest Writers, do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of The Florida Sentinel Bulletin or the Publisher.
isten. If you have a loved-one living in an assisted
living facility, you may want to visit him or her more often and during different times of the day.
Why?
Because a recently released federal government re- port reveals huge gaps in the regulation of assisted liv- ing facilities ... a shortfall that has potentially “jeopardized the care of hundreds of thousands of in- dividuals.”
In other words, more than half of America’s states couldn’t provide information on how many of their res- idents may have been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse while under assisted living facility care. And sadly, of the 22 states that did report data on such incidents, 22,900 cases were recorded.
Since more than one third of all assisted living resi- dents are “believed to have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia,” oversight of these facilities is critical.
Having spent more than $10 billion per year in fed- eral and state funds (approximately $30,000 per per- son for 330,000 patients), the federal government doesn’t even have basic information about the quality of services for assisted living patients.
Therefore, state monitoring of assisted living facili- ties should generate reports of “neglect, abuse, ex- ploitation, or unexplained deaths,” but if no one is monitoring and visiting the facilities, then how will cit- izens know their loved-ones are being cared for prop- erly?
As a writer once stated, “Faith without works is dead.”
When it comes to looking after your loved-ones, nothing could be more than the truth.
What Do You Stand For?
“We must be willing to choose the path of character over the path of compromise.”
~Unknown mpowered Greet-
ings. In life you must stand for something or you will fall for anything. Your personal values in life will be critical if you are going to stand in success in your min- istry, business and relation- ships. Your character, values, morals, beliefs, ministry and business practices all help you stand in success.
You must know what you believe as it pertains to key areas and allow these beliefs to set the positive boundaries and the framework for which you will operate and make
decisions. These decisions will be your stand. Your stand will enable you to stand in success.
Your stand will enable you to stand in an ethical manner. Your stand enables you to stand in success and persevere in adverse situa- tions. Your stand enables you to stand in success and to govern yourself with self- discipline and determina- tion.
Your stand enables you to stand in success and make sound financial decisions. Your stand enables you to successfully stand for right- eousness.
“Righteousness ex- alts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any peo- ple.” (Proverb 14:34).
Your stand enables you to stand and work hard, putting forth your best effort in everything you do. Your stand enables you to set the atmosphere of success for any environment you are in.
What is it that you stand for?! Your stand will deter- mine how you behave in any given situation. How you be- have will define your charac- ter. Your character will determine your destiny.
How you stand deter- mines how you succeed. The values you stand for will de- termine your value as a per- son, in business or in ministry. So stand for suc- cess, so that you can stand in success.
I would love to coach you on your journey to stand in success. Let’s stay connected. I would love to speak, host, emcee at your next event. Call me so we can make that happen, call or text (813) 603-0088.
Follow Me On Face- book: Selphenia Nichols Success Coach To Women.
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C. Blythe Andrews 1901-1977 (1945)
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Assisted Living Facilities Need
Monitoring
Flu Activity In Hillsborough County Remains High
The number of laboratory confirmed influenza cases re- ported by Hillsborough County medical providers re- mains high. Hillsborough County has reported 30 out- breaks during the current in- fluenza season. Nine outbreaks of influenza were reported in child care facili- ties/school and two in long- term care facilities (LTCF).
There are no additional in- fluenza-associated pediatric mortalities. So far, there has been one pediatric mortality during the current influenza season in Hillsborough County.
Those who haven’t re- ceived a flu shot are encour- aged to get one now. “There is no shortage in flu vaccines,” said Senior Human Services Program Manager, Jylmarie Lewis. “We have a lot and there are many other places people can go to get a flu shot.” Visit www.flhealth.gov/find- aflushot to locate places that offer flu shots. You may also contact your health care provider.
Influenza A (H3) is the strain of flu that is more com- mon this season. This strain is usually associated with more severe illness in young chil-
dren and adults over the age of 65.
In addition to getting vac- cinated, those who practice good hand-washing and stay- ing away from others who have the flu will lower the chance of getting sick. For those who get the flu, “stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medica- tion,” said Epidemiology Pro- gram Manager Michael Wiese.
Flu vaccines can vary in ef- fectiveness from season to season, but they continue to be the best way to prevent in- fluenza infection and serious influenza complications. “While the vaccine may not be as effective with the Influenza A (H3) strain, it may prevent serious complications from the flu and help protect indi- viduals from getting another strain,” Wiese added.
There are still weeks of flu activity to come. It is not too late to get your flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is safe, and recommended for everyone six months and older, includ- ing pregnant women.
Tips:
If you become ill with flu- like symptoms, contact your
health care provider as soon as possible. Your health care provider can prescribe antivi- ral treatment if appropriate.
Treatment is most effec- tive when started within 48 hours, so calling as soon as you become ill is important, especially if you or your loved one is at a higher risk for com- plications: children younger than 5, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Stay home from work and keep children home from school or daycare when sick to help prevent spreading the flu to others. It is also essential to practice good hygiene by properly and frequently washing your hands. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office.
You can take additional steps to ward off the flu by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoiding touching your face. Visit FluFreeFlorida.com for more information on how you canbeapartof #FluFreeFlorida.
Visit www.floridahealth. gov/floridaflu for more infor- mation on influenza and in- fluenza-like illness in Florida.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5