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Exploring The Concept Of Consumer Confusion In Home Health Care

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The concept of consumer confusion in the healthcare industry is worth understanding because it will help in both development and validation of the care process as well as help the home care agencies to improve the quality of life and the care process as well.

Over the years there has been a significant rise in the demand of home health care but with that there has also been a change in the concept of other different aspects such as:

  • Patient autonomy
  • Consumer sovereignty
  • Information provision and
  • All the essentials to decrease data asymmetries.

This means there will be no miscommunications between the patients and the healthcare service providers. However, care must be taken for greater availability of such third-party information sources because this can lead to customer confusion and negative side effects.

By nature, the patients can be confused regarding the type of care services to be provided as well as the cost of it. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the home care agencies to provide quality information to the patients to eliminate the chances of any confusion among the patients.

Consequences of a confused patient

According to the research conducted among a few competing health care providers it is found that such conflicting information causes a lot of patient confusion. This in turn affects the behavioral intention of the patients to choose a health care provider.

  • The present study confirms the model of patient confusion with reference to the context of hospital choice.
  • It also reveals the perceived overload of information and its similarity as well as its ambiguity which in turn affects the cognitive mechanisms of patient confusion.

When a patient is confused, they typically have an inclination to narrow down their choices as well as their available set of possible decision alternatives.

Finally, the customers should make an empirical analysis that will help them to know about the effective and cognitive elements that ideally leads to patient confusion. They will be able to mediate the perceived information overload, similarity, and vagueness of information regarding Home care jobs.

Care delivery at home

When it comes to delivering health care in the home it is quite different from a hospital or nursing home health care setting or any other institutional environment where nurses and home care aides work.

  • The home health care nurses work alone
  • They work depending on the support resources that are available from their central office and
  • They work on the basis of a nurse-physician relationship.

It also involves direct physician contact and in most of the cases it is found that it is the physicians who rely on the nurses to a greater degree for making proper assessments and analysis of the finding and also communicating it with the other team members.

  • The home health care nurses usually spend a significant part of their time on paperwork as compared to the nurses working in a hospital or a nursing home. They in fact spend a lot of time with the reimbursement issues.
  • There are also a few specific and distinctive characteristics that make the nurses working in a home health care environment much different for the other nurses working in different other settings. One of it is the safety, security and quality of outcomes.

In fact, there is a very high degree of patient autonomy found in a home setting that includes limited oversight as well as experience of the informal caregivers as compared to the professional home care givers of the clinicians. All these are situational and are variable according to the unique situations in each home.

Reasons consumers err

Now, with all these benefits and variances provided by a home heath care giver or a nurse, the natural question that may come to your mind is why exactly consumers make a mistake in choosing the right care plan.

Well, the first obvious reason seems to be the open enrollment plan that is provided by almost every kind of health insurance companies.

  • There are millions of people who use Medicare plans.
  • There are others who choose any other type of health insurance that is sponsored by the employer.

In addition to that, there are also a significant number of people who choose a specific health plan from the Affordable Care Act or ACA marketplaces.

Quite naturally, the consumers encounter with a large variety of options. According to research, it is revealed that it is due to this large variety of option that is available to the consumers that creates a confusion and in most of the times compels them to make a mistake in making the final choice. Invariably, more often than not they end up paying more than that need to pay for a particular health plan.

Type of confusions created

There are people who select plans that come with deductibles that are too low. Well, you may think that this is a fine choice but in most of the cases when you choose a plan that has lower deductible will have higher premium. That means when you save on deductibles while receiving the claims, you pay a large sum of money while you continue to pay the premiums.

Such type of mistakes made is typically seen when bulk insurance is sold to the employees of a firm. They hardly have the knowledge and skill to distinguish between the 26 plans they are offered and all seems to be identical to them. This forces them to bad deals which in most of the times is influenced by the choice of the colleagues.

People have a variety of reasons to make mistakes like this.

  • Some do not understand the basic concepts of health insurance
  • Some cannot identify the basic cost-sharing features and
  • Some are highly predictive of overpaying for a lower deductible.

Therefore, there is no doubt that the consumers face a lot of confusing situation when it comes to choosing a health insurance plan as well as a health care provider. Add to that, the different programs offered by the Medicare Advantage confuse the consumers even more. This is why a proper research is essential before making any such choice.

3 Tips to Decide on Your Hot Tub Placement

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You can set up your hot tub in your home bathroom, backyard, or private patio. Then, which is the best place to install the same? It all depends on the type of home you live and your lifestyle choices. When it comes to hot tub shape and design, there are plenty of options available for you to choose from. Then, you cannot buy a huge tub for a small bathroom. If you have a spacious bath, on the contrary, there is nothing like it. In such a case, you can even set up a big Jacuzzi tub for that ultimate comfort and sophistication.

The hot tub also costs you. According to an article published on https://us.cnn.com, home décor and renovation is expensive sometimes, yet you can do much of bathroom revamping on a budget. You could opt for a bathtub sale and save up to 65 percent. Once you invest in one, here are three tips to decide on a hot tub placement in your home:

  1. Use

Are you contemplating to use your hot tub for a relaxing experience in quiet and peace? Will you use the same for amusement and romantic fun during festivities or parties in your house? Or would you use a hot tub for treating chronic pain? You need to answer these questions before choosing and installing a hot tub.

The proposed use of the hot tub plays a crucial role in its installation. For increased seclusion or soothing ambiance, you might like to set it up where you have some privacy such as in the private patio of your home. Similarly, if you would love to enjoy picturesque landscape views in an attractive setting, you might want to set up your hot tub in your backyard. Hot tubs for daytime use must be placed under a shade, and one intended for an evening bath should have some pathway, lighting, and steps to climb into the tub safely, especially if the hot tub is in your backyard. Remember these factors when installing your hot tub. Make sure you have custom hot tub covers to keep it protected when not in use.

  1. Appeal and aesthetics

When you invest in a new hot tub, it is essential to mull over its overall appeal and aesthetics. How will it look in a new place? Is it easy to build and uphold the aesthetic appeal with another furniture arrangement, decoration, and lighting in your bathroom? You can also install the hot tub as a standalone piece in your home bathroom. Make sure that your hot tub complements or improves the look and feel of your bathroom. You can place potted plants, colorful candles, and soap racks near the tub.

  1. Maintenance

Before installing a new hot tub, check the bathroom dimensions. How cozy is your bathroom where you want to place it? In case of a repair, make certain that you can easily reach the spa cabinet, electrical elements, and plumbing materials. If you install the hot tub on or close to the wood, protect the wood or keep it away from water.

Conclusion

You can install a hot tub anywhere as long as it feels comfortable and suits your lifestyle. You can set it up in your bathroom or private backyard based on your preferences.

5 Home Designs That Can Really Improve Your Life

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If you’re one of those people who feel their best when they’re at home, we can freely say that you aren’t the only one! This is completely natural and logical, as everyone is able to relax and unwind to the max in the comfort of their home, right? So, if you want to improve the quality of your life, you should start with upgrading your house! Here are five awesome home design ideas that can make it happen for you, so check them out and enjoy!

Opt for multifunctional rooms that feature indoor play area

If you have a big family with kids, you know that incorporating an indoor play area into your home can be a bit challenging. This is particularly true if you don’t have enough free space, which is what a lot of parents are dealing with nowadays. Well, this is exactly why you should opt for a concept of multifunctional rooms that feature indoor play areas within them! The majority of people choose to combine playroom with their kids’ bedroom simply because that’s the most practical solution, but you know what? You can also combine it with your living room or even a dining room, so get creative, bring the playground inside, and keep your kids entertained when the weather is bad!

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Bathtub in the bedroom? Why not!

Yes, we know that it seems a bit silly, but the fact is that a lot of people are deciding to put a bathtub in their bedroom these days. The reasons for that are more than good, and the first one is not having enough space to fit the tub in their bathrooms. Even though a bathtub isn’t an obligatory part of a bathroom, many people love to have it because it provides the ultimate spa experience in the comfort of their homes. Of course, designing your bedroom with a bathtub in mind is much easier when you’re building a new home, so make sure to contact new home builders if that’s the case and consult with them about everything you want. That’s the best way to make your wishes come true!

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Convertible bedrooms are all the rage these days

On the other hand, if your bedroom is a bit smaller than you hoped for and there’s nothing you can do to get more space, we must say that a convertible bedroom should be your first choice. This is the perfect time to get creative with your sleeping arrangements, too, as traditional beds tend to take up a lot of floor space. In order to utilize the space in the best possible way, you should take fold-down beds into consideration. Such beds are very popular because they are hinged against the wall at one end, which means that you can store them vertically inside a closet or cabinet. Just give it a fair shot and you’ll see how sleek and practical they actually are!

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Kitchen and dining room combo is a winning one

As mentioned above, multifunctional rooms are gaining momentum these days, and that’s because they are designed to maximize your space and make your life much easier. So, if you want to save some space and contribute to a warm family atmosphere in your home, you should certainly opt for a kitchen and dining room combo. We can freely claim that this is a winning combo – especially if you’re into open-floor plans, so don’t go for a separate dining room and you’ll see what we were talking about. Also, more and more people are very much into cooking and socializing at the same time, and this concept allows you to do that. Of course, it’s a great choice for smaller homes, too, so don’t waste your space unnecessarily and merge these two together!

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Integrated home office for a much easier living

If you’re one of those people who spend a lot of time working from home, you surely know that a home office isn’t a luxury, but a bare necessity. This is particularly true if you have small children who don’t understand that mommy or daddy can’t play because they have to work, so don’t wait any longer and design your own home office. This room doesn’t have to be big at all – in fact, the majority of people don’t have a separate room that can be turned into a home office, so work with what you have and you won’t go wrong. For example, if you have a large bedroom, you can choose one silent corner and add a desk and a chair to it. A cool room divider made from wood is a great idea if you want some privacy, and the best thing about it is the fact that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. Instead, put your crafting skills to good use and make one on your own!

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As you can tell, there are so many home designs that can truly improve your life, and these five are undoubtedly the best ones out there. So, if that’s your ultimate goal, all you need to do is to stick to our tips and you’ll surely accomplish it. That’s a promise!

 

 

Thanksgiving Day Pumpkin Lights

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Who said pumpkins can only be used for Thanksgiving? I founds these and thought how great it would be to have several lining a pathway to your home, have one or two snuggled into a garden or to have one or two in your home. Remember, you don’t have to use candles – there are many battery operated options to use now. You prepare the pumpkin the same way you do for a pumpkin you are going to carve. Use various drill bits to crate patterns like seen above or use a sharpie marker to draw your own. Two tips I will give: 1:take a large cup and turn it so the drill bit goes through it and covers a portion of your drill and 2: use the lowest speed on your drill. Best to use an old drill for this and use lots of caution. They are really cute and unexpected and guests will love them.

Renovating vs. Buying a New House

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Do you buy or do you renovate? It’s the eternal debate every homeowner has with his inner self. If you want to start a family, do you do it in a new location or do you transform your old one to accommodate your wishes? If you feel like you need some extra room or a fresh start, moving might seem like the most appropriate option. However, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of a proper renovation project. It can make some unexpected and welcome changes to your home that make it way more attractive. To better understand which option would best suit you and your family, you need to look at how they compare.

1.     Buying gives you a fresh start

There are a lot of benefits that come with buying a brand-new home, but none of them come close to the satisfaction of knowing that you now have a fresh start. When you walk into that new house for the first time, you’re opening a whole new chapter in your life. This place has no memories that tie you down, so you can always decide to make some new ones.

A fresh start also allows you to enjoy the home as you please. If you want to work on the design of the home, you have a clean slate right n front of you. You can go wild and create an interior that fits you best. You get a lot more freedom than if you simply renovated the home. If your home already has tons of furniture, it’s hard to come up with something new that will still include it. Instead, you’re probably going to place it in a pretty similar way. It’s understandable, considering you don’t want to throw anything away, especially if you’ve spent a lot of time designing your home.

A new home takes some of this pressure off of you. It’s okay to start over when there’s a whole new place at your disposal. Plus, it helps motivate you to get some new furniture to match the home.

2.     Renovating is a lot cheaper

It’s no secret that buying a home is pretty expensive. Getting a piece of real estate is going to cost you a mortgage that you will need to work to pay off for years. It’s very likely that it’s going to take you decades to pay it off. You can consider it a lifetime investment. It’s not something that you should take lightly.

However, renovating the space is a lot more forgiving on your wallet. You can add as many new and interesting elements as you want, and it will never come close to the cost of buying a house. There are other numbers to consider as well. Construction and taxes are a huge part of why homes are such an expensive investment. When it comes to renovating, you don’t have to worry about many of the costs that a house incurs.

You aren’t limited to superficial renovations, either. You can make some big changes to your home and not come close to breaking the bank. You can even add some additional space to your home by expanding it. On a per square meter basis, adding additional surface to your home doesn’t cost nearly as much as a square meter of a brand-new home. If you consider a lack of space to be the biggest issue in your home, you can solve it rather easily without outright buying a home.

3.     It’s important to consider energy efficiency

No matter what your house looks like, you still have to pay the bills. It wouldn’t hurt you if those bills were a bit lower. If you’re torn between renovating your home and buying a new house, things like energy efficiency might sway your opinion. After all, high bills are just one of the many costs that come with your home. People will always look for ways to reduce them.

When you decide to renovate your home, you need to look at all the aspects that affect your bills. Faulty piping and bad insulation are the best examples. You can’t expect your home to keep the heat in if you don’t put the necessary effort to create proper insulation. The same goes for all of your water pipes. If they are leaky, you can expect a higher bill to come in every month. Not to mention, there’s also the damage that comes with water leaking everywhere.

There’s not much you can do when it comes to the total efficiency of your home. Older houses just aren’t as efficient as newer ones. Construction materials and plans evolve every single year and this means that newer homes are often a lot more efficient. This leads to a significant reduction of bill payments for those that wish to purchase a new home. It’s a lot easier to buy a home that is efficient from the get-go, instead of patching up some of the many problems that come with your older residence.

4.     Renovating is an investment

Sometimes, your home just needs an overhaul that will better its looks and increase its efficiency. If you ever intend to sell your home, making some crucial renovations can up the value by quite a bit. It’s one of the safest investments you can make. This is because the renovations that you introduce to your home will up the value significantly, even if those same renovations don’t cost you much. Everything you invest in your home is going to pay off big time, which is why most renovations are extremely worthwhile.

Let’s not forget the impact of those renovations on the image of your home. People don’t want to buy a run-down piece of real-estate. They want a house that’s in its prime. You might think that your house is a bit too old to qualify, but there’s nothing that a few renovations can’t fix. Giving your home an overhaul is going to make it extremely attractive to potential homeowners, which means you should strive to make as many changes as possible.

5.     There’s no urgent maintenance necessary

When it comes to regular maintenance, every home needs to be taken care of. If you neglect your home’s needs, you’re going to find that it will quickly deteriorate and lose value. However, the rate at which it deteriorates depends on the age of the home and how long people have been living inside of it.

Certain things like the piping in your bathrooms will deteriorate no matter what. You can’t really stop rust from forming in the pipes that are in the wall. Cleaning this up would be extremely costly, and it might not produce any noticeable results.

This is part of the reason why newer homes are often preferred by those seeking to invest in real estate. There are very few long-term problems that can manifest themselves in a new house. People need to live there for a while for these types of problems to show up. Any maintenance that your house might need is probably going to be minor, simply because the construction is still fresh. An older will need some critical renovations to make sure that certain systems don’t fail and cause problems. Plus, you have to make these renovations or else it’s going to incur further costs when the problems start getting serious.

6.     Enjoying the benefits

Renovations can turn your house into a dream home pretty quickly. This dream home might be reserved for potential buyers, but it can also benefit you in some great ways. There’s nothing stopping you from enjoying the benefits of some house renovations. Even if you intend to put your house on the market, you can still live in the residence before buyers come knocking.

Renovations help improve the quality of life in your home whether or not you’re inside of it. If you happen to still live inside, you can enjoy these renovations all the same. Positive changes will enhance your living situation before you decide to sell your home. If your home really needed a new kitchen, you’re going to have a blast when cooking in the renovated version.

7.     Making the property safer

As a responsible homeowner, you want to make your home as safe as possible, whether you decide to sell it or not, it’s in your best interest to increase the safety factor of the home. You never know when someone might decide to burglarize your home, which is why some precautions should be made.

When you buy a new home, you should make sure that it has all the necessary security systems in place to keep you safe at night. In most cases, a new home will have strong locks and window guards that make the home slightly more impenetrable than an older home. People pay attention to safety, which is why a well-protected home is such an attractive option.

It never hurts to add a little more protection every once in a while. When you decide to add some renovations to your home, pay attention to its weak spots. All the alarms in the world won’t help if the door lock is easily broken. Investing in a strong entrance and lock mechanism is something every homeowner should consider. It’s a small change with enormous security potential. Let’s not forget about windows, either. They should have locks to protect your home from any burglary attempts. If someone decides to break a window to get in, the noise will allow you to contact the authorities quickly. At the very least, locks will help give you an early warning sign.

8.     Time-consuming renovations

Introducing practical and aesthetic changes to your home can be very time-consuming. Renovations take a while, and they can get very disruptive and messy. If you decide to make some major changes to many of your rooms, you’re going to have to relocate while these changes are worked on. This can really hamper your enjoyment of the renovations and it might not motivate you to introduce further changes.

Some people will go the DIY route during their home renovations projects, which can use up even more free time. It’s a very satisfying experience that allows you to make things exactly as you please, but it also requires a lot of your time, money, and dedication. Homeowners often have to take out a loan from places like OurMoneyMarket to fund their renovations, but the results make the investment well worth it. As long as the homeowner knows what they’re doing, this kind of investment should be able to pay off rather quickly. Once you see the results, you might forget about how long it took to get there.

9.     Packing and unpacking

When you purchase a home, all of your stuff needs to be transported from your old location to the new one. This can be a monumental task for someone with a lot of things or someone that is moving very far away from their original home. In many cases, moving might require significant funding and transportation efforts.

Purchasing a home will certainly put a dent in a person’s finances, which makes the moving process even more stressful. If you have to hire movers to get all of your furniture from point A to point B, moving is going to look a lot less attractive. However, it’s something that every new homeowner has to tough out.

Renovating your original home doesn’t put you in as much of a difficult situation. You need to keep your stuff outside the home while major changes are being made, but that can be a one-man job if done right. As long as you protect your furniture from the elements, it can even stay in your shed or garden while you renovate.

Conclusion

Every homeowner has probably been torn between these two big decisions. It’s a tough choice to make, but there are arguments that make both options very attractive. Renovations aren’t as much of a commitment, but they are a lot cheaper than outright purchasing a home. Still, you should try to do your research and make an informed decision before making any major moves.