Promotional mix used by two established organizations

Promotional mix used by two established organizations Select two organisations of your choice and create a booklet that describes the promotional mix used by these two organisations for a selected product/service. 1A. Mc DONALDS: COMPANY OVERVIEW Dick and Mac McDonald founded the very first drive-in and self service restaurant in California, US in 1940. Today McDonalds is one of the leading fast-food retailer having more than 32,000 local restaurants [1] across the globe. With a mass penetration and exhilarating brand image, McDonalds is serving more than  60 million people in approximately 117 countries of the world [1]. To establish its market presence and differentiate from its competitors, McDonalds has created a number of logos and road signs depending upon its operations as for example dine-in facility drive-through etc. Following are few examples illustrating different logos: [2] Different Logos of McDonalds 1.1 THE PROMOTIONAL MIX STRATEGY McDonalds has employed an effective promotional mix strategy for the marketing of its products and services. For the organisation to penetrate within a specific market, it is essential to gain maximum knowledge about the culture, taste, climate, consumer needs etc. to design a correct set of promotional mix for marketing its marketing campaign. The right choice of the promotional mix helps the organisation to communicate the benefits of its products and services to the consumers (OShaughnessy 2003, p. 110). McDonalds core consumer base is built upon children, business personnel and fast-food lovers. Followed by which the promotional mix strategy used by McDonalds is advertising and sales promotion. [1] http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html [2] http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/media_center/image_gallery/logos.html OShaughnessy, J., 2003. The marketing power of emotions, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. 1.2 ADVERTISING The promotional mix strategy followed by media advertising is always favourable as it reinforces the existence of the organization and also helps in persuading the consumers to buy. The advertising tools include print media, electronic media, billboards etc. for promotion. McDonalds too employs certain effective promotional techniques with the help of advertising tools. Print Media, TV Commercials McDonalds utilises aggressive media advertising as a tool to promote its products. With the help of television commercials, newspapers and magazines, the organisation has successfully managed to create a positive image of its brand. The scrumptious representation of its food products on the hoardings not only attracts its consumers but also helps to keep them well informed about the new arrivals. [3] Images of Burger and Fries Social Networking Today social networking websites have become extremely popular and since most of the traffic on these websites is followed by the younger generation therefore, it becomes essential for the organisations like Mc Donalds to demonstrate their market presence. To keep itself connected with its core consumer base, McDonalds has created pages [4] on the most popular social networking websites that includes: Facebook http://www.facebook.com/aboutmcdonalds Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/aboutmcdonalds Twitter http://twitter.com/mcdonaldscorp These pages confer all the related information about the latest news and upcoming events about McDonalds and also updates about new deals and offers. [3] http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/media_center/image_gallery/products.html [4] http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/media_center PUBLIC RELATIONS Public relations play an integral role in todays marketing world. The multinational organisations having vast operational framework take part in certain international affairs like exhibitions, charitable work, rallies and sports events. McDonalds has also been involved in such large scale events which not only execute a positive message but also facilitate in the advertising of its brand image. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games The 2010 Olympic Winter Games were held in the beautiful city of Vancouver located in the host country of Canada. Since the brand image of McDonalds represents youth and therefore, it continues to participate in sports events. McDonalds has formally announced its involvement as the Official Restaurant for the eighth consecutive games [5]. The company is all set to feed more than 10,000 of the worlds best athletes, coaches and the Olympic officials. It is yet another component of McDonalds smart promotional strategy as millions of people across the globe will acknowledge the presence of McDonalds as a worldwide partner of this Olympic movement. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa FIFA World Cup is an event that is anxiously awaited by diverse range of age groups everywhere across the world. Mc Donalds always seek for such events that create an extravaganza to target a mass audience. The organisation is an official sponsor and the official restaurant of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. With more than 32,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, McDonalds will bring the FIFA World Cup to life for millions of customers and employees around the world. [5] Logo for the 2010 FIFA World Cup [5] http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/media_center/press_kits.html SALES PROMOTION The sales promotions are usually short-termed or time specific strategies that are designed to attract the new customers or to replenish the relationships with the existing ones. The sales promotional campaigns offer attractive deals, work on pricing and put forward new products. The buy-one-get-one deals, gifts and prize schemes are few examples of such sales promotions. Toys, Scratch Cards Lucky Draws Children are the target consumer base of McDonalds and hence it becomes inevitable for the organisation to develop such promotional strategies that may create enthusiasm in children. Happy Meals are offered with small toys which excites children. McDonalds also introduces lucky draws, numerous schemes for winning prices and child competitions from time to time as for example, Happy Meal toys, Big Mac Hockey Contest, card games etc. The promotional tactic of scratch cards is also utilised for marketing which comes with combo meals. Adding to this, Mc Donalds also offers econo-meals and value meals. [6] Toys offered by McDonalds Meals Designed for Healthy Eating The consumer world of today is getting more cautious about organic food and healthy eating and realising this McDonalds has come up with a plan of preserving its existing clientele along with attracting new customers. The company has designed Happy Meals with intent to promote healthy eating in children. The organisation has teamed up with DreamWorks Animation to put forward a series of toys including Shrek, Donkey and Puss in Boots to endorse fruit, vegetables, and low-fat dairy and fruit juices.  By promoting the healthy eating McDonalds has tried to penetrate within the consumer base that intentionally avoid the fast food products as they consider it to be fattening and un-healthy. This is a smart promotional campaign that will benefit the organisation by pulling in the new segment of consumer base to the existing database of the company. [7] Shrek Themed Happy Meal [6] http://www.kathysfastfoodtoys.com/McDonalds2.html [7]http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/media_center/press_kits/McDonald_s_Shrek_Forever_After_Global_Happy_Meal.html 1B: TESCO: COMPANY OVERVIEW Tesco is the leading retail super market in UK having a mass penetration of approximately 90% with an annual turnover of more than 1 billion. Tesco is an internationally recognised brand name which is not only restricted to food and grocery items but is also extended its operation to the non-food products. [8] Official Logo of Tesco 1.1 PRODUCT RANGE Food Ranges: Milk, eggs, butter and all grocery items Non-food Ranges: Books, DVDs and Electronic products Others: Dieting clubs, flights and holidays, music downloads electricity etc. 1.2 CORE COMPETITORS The list below indicates the core competitors of Tesco in UK. All of the listed below companies are the leading supermarkets in UK and operates almost in same range of products and categories. The competition for Tesco is extremely fierce in UK as the quality of products and services offered by these supermarkets are relatively same hence it becomes difficult for anyone to send out. However, Tesco with its comparatively huge operational network has got a leading position since it has got smaller or bigger outlets in almost every other corner. The promotional techniques offered by these supermarkets is more or less the same but Tesco ensures its distinct identity by introducing smart marketing mix followed by carefully designed promotional mix. Tesco Asda Sainsbury Waitrose Morrisons 1.3 THE PROMOTIONAL MIX STRATEGY Tesco has designed an intelligent promotional mix strategy that reflects a prudent thought process behind its campaigning. Tesco has successfully managed to achieve a vital role in the routine life of every household and its progress lies in the success of its creatively devised promotional strategy. The core constituents of Tescos promotional mix are as follows: 1.3.1 DIRECT MARKETING In combination with a number of meaningful promotional tactics, Tesco is successfully following a direct marketing strategy. Once a customer is registered on their main website -and starts shopping, the company keeps on interacting with that customer via phone, emails and text messages from time to time. Emails Messages The comprehensively designed website stores the contact information of the customer and the efficient direct marketing team of the organisation keeps a track record of customers buying behaviours. Tesco sends promotional offers, necessary information, new products and special deals via personalised email addresses to the customers. Moreover, Tesco also sends out feedback forms and surveys via emails to keep updated with the continuously evolving customers needs and choices. Text Messaging This is yet another way of close interaction with the customers. Tesco keeps on sending useful information about the new offers and products via text messaging. The company ensures that the customer never misses out anything offered by them and by doing so the company also develops a certain place in the customers everyday life. 1.3.2 MEDIA CAMPAIGNING Like its core competitors, Tesco too needs to make heavy investments on media campaigning even though its market presence is humungous. The competitive environment of today doesnt allow anyone to fall short when it comes to media campaigning. Media is one of the most powerful and decisive element of the overall promotional strategy. TV Commercials To differentiate from others it is essential to highlight the key features of the organisation in the TV commercials. Tesco primarily focuses on its accessibility as its network is comparatively broader. The commercials also highlight its healthy eating and organic products. Moreover, the TV commercials are designed to offer a little extra eye-catching moments to ensure that the commercials stay in the customers minds for a longer period of time. Interactive Websites In addition to its main comprehensive website, Tesco has launched a number of other web pages including Tesco Apps, Tesco Diet, and Talking Tesco etc. The links to these web pages are also made available on the main website and the link to the main website has been kept prominent on all other web pages. 1.3.3 SALES PROMOTION Tesco is facing a cut throat market competition and therefore, it has to keep on designing innovative promotional strategies to address the consumer needs and offer them a pleasurable shopping experience at the same time. Keeping in view of the rising level of inflation and recession period, Tesco has come up with ground-breaking promotional tactics as rewarding their customers. Club Card Points By introducing the Club Card rewards point, Tesco has made shopping a lot more fun and exhilarating experience for the consumers. The reward points can be collected by shopping via the online website which can be accessed by going to its website [8]. This promotional technique attracts the customers looking for discounts and saving options. [8] Image of Tesco Club card [8] http://www.tesco.com/ Tesco Apps Tesco has launched a direct mobile website which enables its consumers to shop for groceries from absolutely anywhere on their mobile by downloading the Tesco application from the website [9]. The online shop also allows the customer to add or delete an item from the online shop accessed via the mobile. The mobile application also enables the customer to access the favourite list which makes the process much easier. This application is an innovative promotional technique which attracts the consumer base that has an extremely busy life. [9] Image of Tesco Apps 1.3.4 PUBLIC RELATIONS With its mass penetration in the consumer market, Tesco completely comprehends with the idea of consumer satisfaction which can be achieved by listening to them. It has been established that the customer sentiments drastically changes about a certain product depending upon the positive or negative image they build by experiencing the offered level of services. Believing the same, Tesco maintains close connections with its customers with the help of numerous methods. Talking Tesco The company has introduced a distinctive website named as Talking Tesco so that its customers know that their say matters and is always encouraged. The web page [10] is designed to collect the feedback from its customers along with any issues or grievances and it has been ensured that the relevant team members respond to the complaint or enquiry as soon as possible. The web page also displays a personalised email address i.e. [emailprotected] to directly contact the team and get a quick response. [9] http://www.tesco.com/apps/ [10] http://www.tesco.com/talkingtesco/ Tesco Diets Tesco believes in maintaining strong bond with its customers so that their loyalty can also be preserved. Tesco has introduced an interactive website which offers a personalised fitness programme that is designed to encourage people for healthy eating, maintaining a balanced diet and follow an exercise regime that may help in reducing weight. By registering on the website an individual can receive personalised daily workout programme and log the progress. Moreover, scrumptious recipes, tips, diet plans and interactive tools are also available on the website for free. These kinds of interactive and informative websites help the consumers to develop a positive image about the brand and thereby, develop a relationship of trust between the retailer and the consumer which eventually benefits the organisation. [11] Image of Tesco Diets [11] http://www.tescodiets.com/why-join/90078 2. Explain the role of promotion within the marketing mix for a successful promotional campaign. PROMOTION Promotion is the fourth marketing-mix element which is crucially important for a successful marketing campaign. There are a number of tactics involved in the promotional activities in order to communicate the message to the consumer base. Depending upon the nature and size of the campaign the target market is selected which could be a focus group; a particular market segment based on culture, tastes, and religious believes etc. and promotional materials are designed to influence these customers. 2.1 PROMOTIONAL TOOLS THEIR ROLES There are a number of tools which are helpful in the promotion of the products. These tools include: Advertising Advertising is a method of communicating with the end-customers and passing on a message about a particular products or services. There are several ways of advertising including print media such as press releases, newspapers, magazines, broacher, hoardings and leaflets or it could be electronic media such as radio, television or internet. The advertisements are external mass-mediated messages which do not necessarily influence the individual consumers as desired because these messages are filtered through interpersonal communication channels and the perceptual systems of the consumer before acquiring any implications however, they do influence the consumers buying behaviour (Schiffman and Kanuk 2000, pp. 129-35). The advertisements are typically designed to penetrate a larger segment of the consumers. Since the advertisements represent pictures and the information about the product therefore, it is expected to develop a certain image in the consumers minds. The TV commercials or radi o advertisements are also meant to connect with the target market. The repeated telecast of commercials and the entrance of print media in the sitting areas of every household have developed a different paradigm of marketing. With the help of advertisements the manufacturer attempts to send a clear message to its consumer. OGuinn, Allen, and Semenik define that the meaning of the advertisement is determined through a Schiffman, L. G., and Leslie L. K., 2000. Consumer Behaviour (VII ed.), Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. subtle but powerful process of meaning construction by consumers (OGuinn, Allen, and Semenik 2003, p. 202). Sales Promotion The advertisements are intended to instigate a desire amongst the target market about a particular product as a result of which the consumer develops a need to purchase it. However, the competition is fierce today and almost every other competitor more or less uses the same tactics to attract the customers. Here comes the need for exploiting different promotional tools. The sales promotion is an effective way to manipulate the pricing strategy and gain advantage over the competitors. The cost of a product plays a vital role when it comes to the consumers decision making process. There is segment of consumers which do not necessarily look for designs, colours and quality instead they always look for discount deals. Depending upon the market density the sales promotion strategy may do wonders with a product. The markets that are rich in similar brands may not get competitive advantage but may boost sales for a limited period and on the other hands, where the markets where the positioning of brands are dissimilar, the sales promotion may aid in establishing the roots of a new brand or may even help in penetrating deep in the market. The main objective is to utilise this tool in an effective manner. The smartly designed sales promotion campaigns can help the retailers to get rid of the old or unsold stocks and make ways for new arrivals. It is important to note that the sales promotion technique might give quick results or might take a little longer to benefit however, the overall performance of the sales promotion strategy can be monitored and measured over the time. The main role of the sales promotion campaign is to attract new customers because the benefits associated with this technique are short termed and hence it is difficult to break the loyal customers. It has been estimated that the tremendous rise in the number of brands and a decrease in the efficiency of traditional advertising due to increasingly fractionated consumer markets has lead to augment the need for developing sales promotion strategies (Brierley 2002, p. 132). Public Relations The main objective of the public relations technique is to exploit the consumers sentiments in the benefit of the organization. The public relations tactics primarily involves the people OGuinn, T., Chris A. and Richard S., 2000. Advertising (II ed.), USA: Southwestern Publishing. Brierley, S., 2002. The advertising handbook, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. having potential impact on a companys operations to achieve its goals and objectives, which include both retailers and the customers. The idea is to maintain healthy and positive relationships with the individuals and groups of mutual interests working together for the benefit of the organization. This could be charitable event, a cultural show which is not directly related to the interests of the company but definitely portrays the social responsibilities of the organization towards the society in general. This may in return have a great impact on public sentiments which will lead to maximise sales. The organizations sponsoring the shows ensure that appropriate coverage has been given to such public events and activities thereby, highlighting the positive image of the organization through news and information media. The press conferences, contests, meetings, and other social events are all part of public relations which is intended to draw the attention of general consumers towards their products and services. It is the responsibility of the advertising agencies and the public relation specialists to foresee the possibilities of evolving goodness out of the brand image (Arvidsson 2006, p. 88). On the other hand, several irrelevant issues are also touched by the multinational organizations by supporting certain causes which eventually impacts the organizational objectives in achieving its goals. It has been observed that many corporate companies do not necessarily seek profitability out of public relations tactics however; the brand imaging culture of today evidences that public sentiments plays a vital role in the success and failure of products and services. The multinational organizations and corporate companies acknowledge the importance of public sentiments and therefore, it has been established that marketing public relations departments are essential to directly support corporate and product promotion and image management (Arvidsson 2006, p. 96). Direct Marketing It is a time consuming process which requires the collection of data about the target consumer market. The direct marketing technique is based on an in-house data base which provides sufficient information about the targeted consumers to facilitate the direct marketing teams to offer the best services possible which may suit the clients needs. A number of multinational organisations and corporate companies conduct extensive researches, polls and public surveys to collect the consumers views about certain products. The responses obtained are thus incorporated into the database and are updated from time to time. The process could be very time consuming and therefore, a number of organisations buy the mailing lists and Arvidsson, A. (2006) Brands: meaning and value in media culture, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. contact information of potential customers that is tailored to a precise specification. It is an effective promotional tactics which involves a number of different techniques to execute a well-designed marketing plan. Direct marketing may involve the use of emails, letters, phone calls etc to reach the targeted consumers. This method is useful in targeting a specific group of customers and sends them personalised messages which may have a distinct impact as compared to the TV commercials or regular promotional tactics. It has been observed that a segment of consumers prefers to be personally addressed as it gives them some extra importance (Levy 2003, p. 108). This technique is welcomed by a consumer base that is psychologically inclined towards introvert lifestyle. The main role of direct marketing technique is to get realistic results as the promotions are designed to target the listed customers and therefore, the response level obtained from them can give an idea of how well the c ampaign is working. Today, the competition is getting tough and the organisations seek for improved results therefore, direct marketing techniques are adopted to measure the effectiveness of the promotional campaigns and make necessary alterations where required. Personal Selling Personal selling is another tool used to devise an effective promotional campaign. It involves the employment of sales representatives in order to carry out the day to day sales activities. The personal selling technique is not very well complimented by the fast paced environment of today as the consumers are much more inclined towards the electronic sales option i.e. via internet. The personal selling option can be termed as the most expensive means of promotion, as human involvement requires certain expenses, and supplementary benefits however, a number of companies still maintain their sales force and encourage door to door selling. Personal selling is effective with the consumer base that is not very fond of following the commercials and is not capable of using internet. These customers have got the psyche of believing what they see in real. They may prefer trying a product before their final decision making process. The sales personnel are highly trained to deal with such custom ers and also taught to utilise personalised elements and techniques to convince the customers. The door-to-door selling techniques are quiet time consuming and might not get instant results for the organisations however, they seem to be effective in unapproachable client base to get the competitive advantage. Salespeople are trained to make presentations, answer objections, Levy, S., 2003. Roots of marketing and consumer research at the University of Chicago, Consumption, Markets and Culture, 6(2): 99-110. gain commitments to purchase, and manage account growth (McFall 2004, p. 63). The main goal of a sales person is to convince the customer on the spot and achieve the companys target by maximising sales activities which can also be achieved by the word of mouth if the customer is happy with the way the sales person has presented the product. The technique is all about maintaining a good reputation with the end customer where the sales person serves as a face of the company. Therefore, the sales force must be well acquainted with the product knowledge in order to satisfy the consumers enquiries related to the product. The personal selling strategy is considered to be out of fashion due to growing e-technology and web based marketing strategies however, the effect of personal interaction with the consumer can never be ignored. Combined with a correct set of promotional mix a successful marketing campaign can be designed. McFall, L., 2004. Advertising: a cultural economy, London: Sage. Explain the role of advertising agencies in the development of a successful promotional campaign the evidence that you have to produce is a fact sheet. 3. ROLE OF ADVERTISING AGENCIES IN PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS The ever-increasing range and diversity of market products has given rise to plethora of brand consciousness as a result of which the significance of information, persuasion and convincing the customer has become a key feature within the consumer market. Advertising is a vital tool that provides an opportunity for the companies to connect with their target market and to escalate the marketing process, advertising agencies has been pioneered that serves as a bridge between the company and its consumer base. FACT SHEET The advertising agencies facilitates in the development of positive consumer culture. They serve as an effective mediator in between the market products and their consumers. For a successful promotional campaign, an advertising agency aims to benefit its client by maximising sales opportunities. The advertising agencies externalise marketing as a management function and create a body of specialised knowledge about markets and consumers (Wilson and Thomson (2006, p. 112). They comprehend with the clients objectives, product knowledge and the target consumer base. The advertising agencies conceptualise the overall promotional activities. The products are well understood and the process begins by constructing the image and identity of the brand. A team of professionals are involved in the process of brainstorming innovative ideas to achieve the set targets. Extensive research is conducted to study the market trends and consumer needs are identified. Depending upon the size of the budget, an advertising agency creates effective Wilson, J. and A. Thomson (2006) The making of modern management: British management in historical perspective, Oxford: Oxford University Press. promotional campaigns. Advertising agencies makes a strong effort to create and maintain the goodwill of the brands. The agencies are involved in the process of managing a trade marks augmentation to a key symbolic element of marketing strategy (Brierley 2002, p. 97). The agencies devise a marketing communication strategy for mass promotion with the aim of selling The aim is to create a direct link in between the manufacturer and end-consumer by reducing the efforts of sales activities of wholesaler and retailers (Levy 2003, p. 103). Developing a brand image that creates desire for the advertised products. Follow competitor-based approaches to market segmentation and product positioning (Cano 2003). Study the behavioural and psychic dispositions of the consumers which are heavily influenced by the brand imaging. Strategically manipulate the socially-shared symbols in order to facilitate the market penetration. They offer meaning and symbolic connotations to the marketed product which helps the consumers in decision-making process. The advertising agencies plan and design the promotional campaign in such a way that the desired information about a product shall be presented to consumers in a presentable manner (Arvidsson 2006, p. 56) Review the progress of promotional campaigning and improvise necessary alterations where required. Maintain and replenish the bond between manufacturer and the consumers. Brierley, S., 2002. The advertising handbook, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Levy, S., 2003. Roots of marketing and consumer research at the University of Chicago, Consumption, Markets and Culture, 6(2): 99-110. Cano, C., 2003. The recent evolution of market segmentation concepts and thoughts primarily by marketing academics, in E. Shaw (ed.) The romance of marketing history: proceedings of the 11th Conference on Historical Analysis and Research in Marketing (CHARM). Boca Ranton, FL: AHRIM, 2003. Arvidsson, A., 2006. Brands: meaning and value in media culture, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. In a report explain the reasons behind the choice of media in a successful promotional campaign. 4. INTRODUCTION With the passage of time the competition in the corporate world has become increasingly fierce that has enabled the marketing sector to grow. Marketing can be done by a number of ways depending upon several associated factors however; the role of media in every form is an essential element of the marketing world. The rising trend of e-connectivity and social networking practices has made it obligatory for the organisations to incorporate

Support individuals during the last days of life Essay

The psychological aspects are different for each person it depends how they react to the thought of a person dying, some people may feel that it’s their own fault or that they have done something wrong taking the blame for it or someone may feel as if their being useless and feel like there’s things that can be done to help but in actual fact there isn’t. In the person’s last days if known others may like to spend a lot of time with the person but others may not want to see them like that and just want to have the better memories as people can’t handle seeing the person looking very frail as this cannot be very nice, but it all depends on how each person can handle the situation and it is also hard as you don’t know whether to expect the worst each time you go into their room as they could have passed away. It can cause a lot of stress within the home setting and people will be very sad but we have to do our best to try and keep them as happy and as calm as they can be. Common signs of approaching death, you can never know when someone is going to die but there is always a sign such as they May- Lose their appetite the person may begin to resist or refuse to eat meals or any drink fluids. Become very fatigue or sleepy- The person may begin to sleep the majority of the day and night as metabolism slows and the decline in food and water contribute to dehydration. Physical weakness- As the person is declining food and sleeping a lot they will find that they have no energy. Confusion or disorientation- Organs begin to fail including the brain they may start to forget where they are or what they are doing. Change in breathing- Breath intakes and exhales can become very irregular. Social withdrawal- As the body starts to shut down they may gradually lose interest in being around those that are close to them. Swelling in feet and ankles- Coolness in tips of fingers and toes. Good end of life care helps patients with life-limiting conditions to live as well as possible until they die, and to die with dignity. End of life care encompasses palliative care, which focuses on managing pain and other distressing symptoms, providing psychological, social and spiritual support to the patients, and supporting those that are close to the patient. All patients should be treated with dignity and respect throughout the course of their care. Patients who are dying must receive the same standard of care as  all other patients. Their privacy, dignity and wishes must be respected at all times, by listening and achieving their wishes can make them feel more relaxed and less distressed. Making sure your patient has good pain relief, making sure they are always comfortable, having other people around them to keep them occupied or even little things like listening to the radio or watching television if they enjoy doing this. Making sure your patient has everything and every one they need around them, some people may not want to be like this some people may want to go alone and this needs to be respected even if their family members or loved ones want to be with them you have to respect the fact they want to be alone as long as they are comfortable. There are rules governing when life-prolonging treatment can be withheld or withdrawn when the patient’s consent is not available, the relatives and friends of the person receiving the treatment and the healthcare professionals in charge of the person’s care, should decide whether treatment should be continued or not. They should consider whether the treatment is in the best interests of the client in terms of quality of life and how long they will live and if the treatment is helping to improve their condition. If the patient still has the capacity to decide whether or not they want to carry on or stop with the treatment it is their own choice as they still have the capacity to their rights. Also it needs to be remembered that the client should always be center of the care. Some of the signs that death has occurred are they- Have stopped breathing No heartbeat Loss of bowel and bladder control No response Eyelids slightly open Eyes fixed on a certain spot Mouth slightly open The body cools When a client does become to near the end of life or even ill from the start you have to work with other professionals at first you may start with the GP to diagnose the patient and they would then refer them to the hospital if required if not they would give you prescriptions for the right medication  to treat them. You would also work with district nurses if required if a client had a bed sore. You would work with the pharmacy to make sure you receive all the medication and on time and to order when needed. A patient should be monitored regularly; everything that the patient does should be recorded and documented correctly making sure they are legible, accurate, relevant and clear. Things that may get monitored- Food intake charts Fluid intake Charts Continence checks Positioning Chart Checking Temperature Body maps to mark if they have any bed sores If they were in pain or how much pain. Some people may not be able to tell you how much or if they are in pain so in some care homes they use pain rating scales, Faces tool, Disability distress assessment tool (DisDat), Body charts/ Maps or its even suggested if the patient is able to keep a pain diary. Everyone approaching the end of life should have their needs assessed and their wishes and any preferences discussed, any actions reflecting their choices they make about the care they would like to receive should all be recorded in their own personal care plan especially as some people in advance want to refuse treatment, the care plan should be regularly reviewed. Once a client enters into the dying phase the care providers need to adapt their care and support according to the care plan, also the client may have a preferred place of death which they had discussed in their care plan this should be reviewed to make sure the care providers are aware. Advanced care planning should be completed as it gives people the opportunity to make their wishes and preferences known should they deteriorate and lose the mental capacity to make informed choices. When a client’s needs change we make sure all staff and any other professionals are aware and know fully of all the changes and any requirements or adjustments that need to be made such as ways of working, making sure all changes are documented in their personal care plan, in staff communication books, also making sure that all risk assessments are updated, reviewed and changed as needed. Making sure the client has everything that they need to meet their needs to the changes. This also helps everyone to  follow the same way of working to support the client when any changes do happen. Some family members/carers may wish to assist with the personal care in acknowledgement of individual wishes, religious or cultural requirements. If it is down to the staff to carry out this task then the Staff should be Prepared before they do this as there are changes to the body after death and they should also be aware of manual handling and infection control issues. Some people may not want their family or staff to do so, once the patient has died you should refer to their plan of care to see and follow their wishes if any after death. In private nursing homes the personal care after death is the responsibility of a registered nurse, although this and the packing of the property may be delegated to a trained healthcare assistant. The registered nurse is responsible for correctly identifying the deceased person and communicating accurately with the mortuary or funeral director (in line with local policy). In care homes without a registered nurse, the home manager is responsible for ensuring that professional carers are trained appropriately and to ensure that they are competent in their role. The death should be documented straight away the time the date and the people that are present, this also has to be reported to the care quality commission within 24 hours. After the persons death the Last offices should be carried out or some people may call it Personal care after death, two members of staff should carry out last offices but this can only be done once the death has been officially confirmed. The staff should wear all protective equipment such as gloves and apron when carrying out last offices. There is a a list of national guidelines, policies and legislations that are required after a death they are – Health and Safety at work act 1974 Control of substances hazardous to health regulations 2002 (COSHH) Code of Conduct Health and social care act 2008 It is always important that the care plan is referred to before after death as the client may have left their wishes and preference that they would like to be carried out and these should always be followed, as the client may have requested that they would not like any family to carry out last offices as this can be distressing for them, they may have requested that their belongings should be given to a charity or some kept with them and many more examples but the point is that their wishes should always be respected and followed. All staff knows and are fully aware that when a client has passed that all procedures in place must be followed when handling the decease and moving their belongings, gloves and aprons must be worn, all of their personal belongings such as bedding, bed cloths and clothing should be disposed of in the correct way. Everyone is different to how they react to somebody passing, there are different types of ways such as- Emotional- Sadness, anger, blame, depression and loneliness. Physical- Weakness in muscles, hollowness in stomach, tightness in throat and shortness of breath. Cognitive- A person may experience mental difficulties, such as poor concentration, forgetfulness and day dreaming. Behavioural- Some people may react by crying, loss of interest and withdrawal. Spiritual- They may start to question their spiritual beliefs but others may find solace. When telling family or friends that their loved one has passed you have to be prepared for different types of reactions as above, people should always be allowed to spend time by the deceased and their privacy should always be respected. Offering a cup of tea and going into a quiet space where they will not be disturbed so that they can talk about what happens next, sometimes people may find it hard to absorb any information so the care staff should write up a simple and clear guide for them. When talking or telling close family or friends you should always use good listening skills show empathy, always make yourself available and give people time to express  themselves and talk, offer any help to register death or organise a funeral or even just offer any advice. In a care setting the rest of the house should be told what has happened and this should not be hidden from them as they all have the right to know, they should all be told in a tactful and sensitive way. Offer support and let them know that staff will always be available if they feel they need to talk. Family or People in a care setting all have the right to be told and known about bereavement support services that are available to them. When a person dies majority or all staff care workers often experience grief, staff can attend the funeral or pay their respects in some way, by attending the funeral this will allow people to express grief and maybe bring closure. People may actively grieve by crying and it is acceptable to cry and let others know that the person will be missed, some people may be tearful or stressed then they should take time out in a quiet area. Talk to others as they might be feeling the same way as you. There is also carer’s support groups that are available that help yourself or staff members to deal with bereavement. You can talk to family or friends, employer, bereavement charities or if this doesn’t help you can get specialist support from your GP.

Hinduism: Samsara

Samsara is a Sanskrit word meaning the endless cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth that is considered to be experienced by all humans in the Upanishads and in Buddhism. It is the repeated passingof souls through different worlds. Thus, Samsara is commonly known as â€Å"the wheel of life† in Hinduism. Also, Samsara refers to the general, day-to-day struggles and obstacles man experiences throughout life. Samsara exists in many religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Vaishnavism, and other related religions.According to these religions, one has a karmic â€Å"account balance† when he or she reaches death that will determine one’s destiny when a person is reborn. In Hinduism, ego-consciousness of the body and the phenomenal world comes from ignorance of one’s true self. This means that through egoism and personal desire, people are creating the basis for their next life or â€Å"future becoming†. The path of Samsara can only be overc ome by attaining a sense of selflessness and having one’s soul (atman) follow its own version of Samsara†¦repeatedly reincarnating.Samsara is a very interesting concept to me and I am fascinated by the stories I’ve heard from Buddhist friends of mine. I’ve enjoyed the company of my Buddhist friend,Betty, because I’ve learned so much from her as we both have shared our religions with each other†¦ me being muslim and her being Buddhist. Our religions are completely different from one another so I was very curious to know what she believes and how reincarnation and Samsara play a role in her life.I’ve known Betty for over five years and I never thought of her to be a very religious person because she did not throw her religion at people or talk about it all the time. I ended up finding out that she prayed on a daily basis and she was very strong in her religion as a Buddhist. She was always very relaxed and positive, but the best thing about her is how she naturally helped others with no expectation of anything in return. She is so giving and selfless, and it is very humbling to see the things she does for others.She never tries to convert others when religion is brought up like most people do. She is absolutely beautiful as well, and she has very high morals and values that she lives by. She is just a great person and I would always think back at our friendship and appreciate her so much because she is one of my only friends that has not wronged me. One day Bettytold me that the first time she saw her Buddhist monk she felt like she knew him, but could never figure out where from. He was drawn to her and was very interested in her life.She was flattered by this, but she did not understand why he took such major interest in her. After months of talking, she still could not tell where she knew his familiar face from. As her story went on, I found out that the Buddhist monk finally told her why he was so interested in he r personality and the way she lived he life. He told her that she was an angel in the past life that had helped him in a life crisis situation. I was shocked, but at the same time, it made sense considering how great of a person she was and all the beautiful things she did for others.

Dairy intake for adequate calcium levels in the management...

Dairy intake for adequate calcium levels in the management of Osteoporosis Sidak Singh Osteoporosis has become a significant public heath issue in the Western world due to increased morbidity and mortality. Optimization of calcium is important in delaying and possibly preventing osteoporosis. Calcium is known to be the most critical nutritional factor in achieving optimal peak bone mass. Dietary dairy intake is an essential source of calcium necessary for sufficient bone density. While studies illustrate the value of dairy intake as a source of calcium and thus bone health, contention on this topic has followed. Discordant viewpoints argue no effect of dairy consumption on bone strength and negative impacts of excess protein leading†¦show more content†¦Osteoporosis is characterized by decreasing bone mass and increased bone fragility Failure in obtaining optimal peak bone mass and inadequate replacement of lost bone during remodeling can contribute to low bone mass. The impact of the debilitating disease is often known as â€Å"silent† because bone los s occurs without symptoms. The risk of fracture from osteoporosis increases with age. The resulting fracture can lead to a loss of mobility, pain, and disability and in some cases, requirement for long term care. It is predicted that about 24% of patients with hip fractures over the age of 50 will die in the year following the fracture [9]. Bone health maintenance is important in combating osteoporosis. Achieving peak bone mass during adolescence and maintaining this throughout life enhance bone health. This disease is among the leading cause of morbidity in industrialized countries [3]. Calcium has long been recognized as an important factor for the maintenance of bone health. Calcium and Dairy Intake Calcium, a mineral important in many cellular functions in the body such as cell signaling, neuromuscular activity and activation of intracellular functional proteins, is the main constituent of the bone matrix [11]. Required for deposition of bone mineral throughout life, calcium is an essential