week 6

Reading chapter 16, was kind of like a little refresher course for me. Working in mostly skilled nursing facilities I have had a chance to care for people from all walks of life. In my opinion caring for hospice patients is the most rewarding and I actually enjoy it. People often ask me how I could possibly enjoy caring for those that are dying. I have had a few people close to me pass away, I know exactly how I would want them cared for in the same situation. I feel that anyone that is on their "death bed" deserves the best care possible. As sad as it can be being by someone's side and seeing their loved ones in pain I am glad to do anything I can to help. I find it interesting how differently people deal with death, whether it be a loved one or themselves. I have seen people with no emotion whatsoever and I have seen people become rude and hostile with everyone in their path. Everyone has their own grieving process. This chapter reminded me that anything can happen to anyone at any given moment and loved ones need to be cherished.  

week 5

                This weeks article "As Good as it Gets" was interesting, comparing the Netherlands with the US and talking about major differences involving taxes, benefits, retirement, and health care. It was  looking at different ways of doing things.
             I believe that Americans are greedy. I think that everyone wants a piece of the pie and are always thinking about how they can improve THEMSELVES, THEIR homes, and THEIR families. It doesn’t make them bad people but that’s just how our country works, it is how we are influenced. Americans don’t want the government to tax us and take money out of our checks to go towards taking care of other people. It seems wrong to take their hard earned money away from them. Welfare for example is state money given to assist people. Lots of people disagree with this concept it seems absurd to them welfare recipients are not drug tested while the American tax payer is drug tested in order to work and earn money, that is later taken out of their pay check. There are also people in America that would like to be more like the Netherlands and have high taxes so that when they retire or they are hurt they don’t have to pay so much money for healthcare. Me being one of them. People with access to affordable healthcare will actually use it. Over the years I have opted out of insurance for the simple fact it is too expensive. I refuse to be seen unless I am positive something is wrong with me. It is very common for people to neglect signs and symptoms of illness in fear of debt, oftentimes diseases or sickness is ignored too long and becomes severe and even fatal in many cases.
           With having said that the article also informs us of how the different countries look at responsiveness. In the US people want something in return immediately. People like to SEE change quickly, they want results. Everything is high paced and high stressed with the hustle and bustle of life you need immediate care it has become what is expected.