Person-centred and Non-person-centred Approaches to Dementia

Person-centred and Non-person-centred Approaches to Dementia Quality care is very important especially to the people who suffer from diseases like the elderly. There are several geriatric health conditions that affect the lifestyle, day-to-day living, social and emotional, and spiritual aspects of their lives. Seniors who have dementia are entitled to be treated well. There are different approach that healthcare providers must know for them to become effective caregivers. In the same manner, patients expect to receive an appropriate care from their carers. In this paper, with the best of my knowledge, I will discuss and explain the person-centred and non-person-centred approach to dementia, different techniques, and the impacts of equality, diversity and cultural issues, as well as the effects of legislation and policy on the person-centred approach for people with dementia. Person- centred approach is a philosophy that acknowledges the unique characteristics of each individuals living in a rest home. The employees interact with the patients based on the personality, medical history and their values. Its main objective is to create partnerships between the staff, demented patients and their families which will give the best results and improve the quality of care and life for the unwell persons. This philosophy mainly focuses on the people rather than on the health condition, and on the individual’s abilities and strengths rather than losses. There are eight principles of care involved in this approach, and these are the following: Individuality People working in the rest home must make sure that they know very well, or at least try to scan the previous records of the patients so as to be aware on the client’s interests, preferences, needs and wants. It is also achieve by gathering information to the relatives, visitors and families of the patient. In this way, proper treatment and handling is executed to each residents. Most of the time, sick individual responds to the caregiver on how they are being manage. It develops smooth relationship between the care recipient and healthcare provider if they get along with each other, the work is much easier to perform than the other way around. Rights Demented patients still have the right to live the way they wanted to be even if they are suffering from a disease. Oftentimes, these people are being discriminated and treated differently compared to others. Each rest home has provided set of guidelines and rules for the patients. The government also outlined the legal rights of demented individuals. They still have the right to do their own care especially if they are able to manage themselves. Healthcare providers are there just to guide and support them. The right to perform their daily activities and whatever curricular activities they want to do must be given to them. Additional rights are: the right to information, to proper treatment and access to health and other services, to be respected and the right to choose and individuality, fair treatment, complaints, and the right to proper standards. Choice People who have dementia must not be taken for granted when it comes to making decision. Their condition do not serve as a hindrance in deciding for themselves. They should invariably be asked to what they favour, and still have to be part in decision and plans about their present situation. Simple things such as choosing what to wear, eat, taking medication and even doing activities must always be based on their preferences. Clients are also required to fill out the consent form before admitting to the rest homes or in any service provisions. Most of them signed the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) form in advance since dementia is a progressive disease that no known cure. Residential care home always emphasize that patients have the freedom to act whatever they want but with the support of healthcare providers and other allied health professionals. Privacy Dementia linked to cognitive impairment most likely affects the privacy of sick individual as well as the people surround them. Facility’s procedures and policies can influence the privacy of patients. Personal information and health status of the clients must not be tackled without the consent of the concerned person. When it comes to caring them, caregiver must ensure that the door whether in the toilet or room must be closed, even curtains of the window for patients safety and privacy. It is important to knock on the door before entering in to the room, it also shows respect to them. Independence Most of the rest homes encourage self-reliance to the residents especially if the person still has the capacity to do so, despite of the health status.it is important for them to give the space and assistive equipment specifically inside their bedroom so that they are inspired, and it helps stimulate their self-support. Still, the facility is responsible for their clients, aside from encouragement, they must ensure that safety comes first before anything else. Dignity It is defined as the quality of being worthy of honour or respect. As the illness advances the individuals start to lose their personal identity or sense of self, which is the reason for them to become more reliant on the people around them. Someone must validate to the patients who they are, and what they are doing. It is essential that demented people are being treated extra special and most especially with respect. Care staff must keep in mind that, despite from the health condition of the clients, they are still valuable human being and are unique. The support of family, relatives, friends, and even health care professionals are important in order to help the patients in retaining feelings of self-worth as well as the sense of identity. Respect Everyone is entitled to be respected by other people. Regardless of the status in life, attained education, job, and even health condition. Individuals with illness need special attention and cares, and most of all they must be regarded as important persons too. By doing this, they will not feel neglected and not worthy to the society. Expressing concerns, and helping them in remembering what and who they were in the past will make a big difference. Listening and making conversation with them is essential as well, it helps in uplifting their spiritual, cultural, beliefs and values. Autonomy This simply means self-determination or self-rule. Patients with dementia have the right to make their own decision. Depriving their chance to decide their own destiny or fate will be grounds for the moral right of the clients. An example of this is the paternalistic approach, which define as the intentional restriction of an individual’s liberty. In this theory, it is believed that restricting the person will protect and promote the individual’s interest. That is why person-centred approach is being practiced in most of the residential care homes because its principle is self-determination, in which the patient’s role is more active when it comes to his wellbeing. It requires responsibility for deciding on their own and the ability to handle the consequences of their choices. Non-person-centred approach is different from person-centred approach. The latter deals with patient directly such as staff to client relationship, medication treatment specifically for the person involved and everything that is personalised for a patient. Whilst the previous approach cares for the whole facility, residents, as well as to the employees. The two types of this approach are the following: Institutional perspective In rest homes or hospital, it is always departmentalise like kitchen, laundry, housekeeping, physiotherapy, chaplain, and other services offered depending on the organisation, all have different functions but have the same goal, which is for the benefit of the residents. For instance, in the kitchen, the chef must ensure that patients are getting the right designation of food, whether puree or on a soft diet, and is following dietician’s nutritional plans. Similarly, housekeeping department should always keep the room, lounge, toilets and the whole facility tidy and inviting for the residents and visitors as well. Laundry staff must sort out properly the clothes of each residents, should be clean and presentable enough to wear. The same with the towels, flannels, beddings etc. it should always be washed and cleaned appropriately. Biomedical perspective Dementia syndrome is common to the elderly from 65 years old and beyond, and it is a progressive disease that is incurable. Although there are few younger people experiencing this kind of illness. Most of the populace are scared to have this kind of illness, and because of this the government conducts a lot of public awareness and educational programmes regarding this matter. Patients admitted in the hospital or in a rest homes do not always have dementia, there are also other geriatric health conditions like diabetes, kidney problems, stroke or heart diseases, paralysed individuals, and other cases which come to the end point or there body stops responding to the treatment. Even though they are under palliative care, GP’s still prescribe medications for them just to lessen the pain they have. Residential care depends on the doctors’ orders and to the pharmacists who provide the set of medicines for the residents. Nurses are the ones who give medications to the clients certainly. The treatment plan is sometimes altered if the client refuse from it. Physiotherapist are there to help, assist, and support them like in moving, walking, and other related sessions for patient’s own sake. Activity coordinators prepare mental activities to enhance or at least activate the minds of the residents. Several techniques are available to be able to cope with behaviours of the elderly especially demented individuals. Care staff and families must be aware of the different approach. These are the following: Validation Approach It is a therapy which merely focuses on the emotional feelings of the patient. It is also a way of showing understanding and empathy to the seniors since most of them have experienced unresolved issues in the past which triggers their emotional behaviour. There are sub- techniques in this kind of approach which the care giver must practice to be an effective validation therapist, and these are: Centre Themselves, the staff must put themselves in patient’s shoes. Try to view the client as their own mother or grandparent, relax and think clearly before reacting. Second is try to Reminisce, ask questions about care recipient’s mom or dad, share your personal experience, and let the patient show his loneliness. The third one is to Use Extremes, know if the client misses his mother or grandparent and what are the things that he wants to do again with that loved one. This enables the patient to process the feeling of woe in losing someone. Match and Express the Emotion is nec essary to let the patient know that he is not alone about the sadness, care staff are there to help him. Rephrasing and Use Senses are also important since it reassure the patient that somebody understands what he truly feels. Holistic approach This care addresses the wholeness of a person. It includes the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual of the patients. Its main goal is to enhance the quality of life of a person and still be able to enjoy the remaining years of their life despite of the illness. Utilizing holistic methods is beneficial to both care staff and patients. According to the website keepinmind, there four pillars of holistic approach: Environmental, Communication, Nutritional, and Engaging Activity. Environment can affect the behaviour of a patient. It is important to eliminate negative aspects and keep the place safe in order to achieved holistic care, and minimise the anxiety and agitation of the client. Effective communication play a vital role also since constant talking and convincing the patient is required for them to keep calm. These includes verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Assistive Technology Nowadays technology is becoming a necessity. It is part of a person and it makes life easier and faster. Even though high technology is often linked to younger generations, there are useful inventions and gadgets specifically designed for the seniors, especially to those disabled, unwell, and dementia patients. These individuals need assistance whilst maintaining their independency and autonomy. Some of the simple tools available are touch lamps, and automatic calendar clock. High technology devices like satellite navigation systems in which it is use to find missing person. In rest homes, sensor mats are placed to those residents who are prone to falls. Automatic beds and specialised foams or mattress are also available for special case patients. Hearing aids allow the client to be aware of the happenings around them and to be able to communicate with their loved ones and employees. Standing and sling hoist equipment are designed for easy transfer of patients. It promotes safety to both healthcare providers as well as to the patients. Alternative therapies Some people are open-minded and are willing to try traditional treatments. As what others say, there’s no harm in trying. Treatments include acupuncture, aromatherapy, music therapy, bright light therapy, and herbal medicines. Taking herbal medicines, dietary supplements or even vitamins believed to cause delay or it slower the progress of dementia. Although there is no strong evidence about it but there are few researches say that it has positive effects to the patients. The most common herbs are Ginkgo biloba extract, Yizhi capsule (YZC), Kami-Umtam-To (KUT), and Choto-san. Vitamin E might slow the effects of dementia but taking too much has high risk for patient with heart disease. The same effect with Omega- fatty acids and Coenzyme Q10 but still need further studies and research about it. Reminisce techniques Every person reminisce, whether healthy or suffering from a disease. It is a useful tool for everyone especially in times of hardship and stressful events in life. People can divert their feelings through this process, it is inspiring and helps a person to keep moving on and continue to live. This technique is effective to dementia patients, it is a way for them to recall who they were decades ago. In addition, reminiscing or life-review promotes socialization too, since it involves communication with other person. Most of the seniors love to tell stories about their previous experiences to the young ones, and those are useful information that can be applied in the future. Their knowledge, wisdom and skills are very important since those are based on real-life event, not just make-up stories. Moreover, reminisce therapy conveys a lot of benefits for persons with Alzheimer’s. It gives them the sense of belonging, peace and power, existence, importance and value, and gives a positive outlook in life. Furthermore, there are several mediums that can assist in this therapy which is intended to use for different senses as well. Captured memories from the past, paintings, and other valuable objects is utilise for their vision. Old music played in various instruments is used for their sense of hearing, and certain food and smell kits are for their sense of taste well as smell. There are three types of reminisce activities and therapies and these are: Simple, Evaluate, and Occasional reminisce. It is like a level of reminiscing, from their happy and enjoyable to challenging experiences and conflicts, and up to the stressful events and other emotional happenings in life. Involvement and participation of families, friends, relatives, care staff, and other healthcare providers are necessary for this to be an effective therapy. Public health and health promotion The most common dilemma of patients with dementia or any other geriatric health conditions is discrimination. Oftentimes, families and relatives hesitate to seek professional and government help because they are scared to be treated as different from other normal individuals. Promoting public health and awareness is very important to eliminate such stigma. Lack of information to health problem can due to the misunderstanding that dementia is a normal condition of ageing rather than a progressive disease. It can also because of unrecognised or limited information about the signs and symptoms of dementia. Then, lack of understanding about risk factors associated with the disease. Socioeconomic and cultural variables contribute to shaping knowledge and beliefs about dementia. That is why government funded programmes and other organisational campaigns are important in public awareness. It helps the society to fully accept the illness as well as those who have this condition, and proper m anagement and approach will eventually implemented nationwide. By doing this, discrimination will be totally eliminated, fair treatment and smooth life ahead for affected individuals is feasible. Attitudes to health and demand for healthcare The increasing number of people having dementia resulted to high demand of healthcare providers worldwide. Lots of service provisions and other government support services are available to help families in dealing with the disease. Family members send their patients to rest homes and hospitals due to the fact that they cannot handle them at home. They are aware that professional help is necessary to provide the quality care for their unwell seniors. It is important to give the utmost cares when it comes to the patients. Choosing the right facility that suits to the needs of the client must be done. For the care staff, several trainings, programmes and seminars are important to ensure the safety of the stakeholders. In response to the necessities of patients with dementia and other common geriatric health problems, local agencies in New Zealand established rules and regulations for stakeholders, healthcare providers, families, and support organisations as their guidelines. Person-centred approach focuses on the individual which is more applicable and is now followed by any service provisions compared to the traditional one. The principles of care are mainly for the benefits of patients. Their rights as a resident in a rest home are carefully executed, every care and treatment is always based on their preferences. Most of the clients are fully aware about their rights since prior to admission, the management let them sign forms, consent and other important protocols. Basically, the main function of employees is to ensure the safety of the clients, performing cares without offending their right to privacy and independence, support and understand the current situation facing by the patients as well as the families, and most specially giving the best effort for them to enjoy the last chapter of their lives in the world.

Slain :: English Literature Essays

Slain The monster roared, its fury sparked a thousand tongues of fire from its hide. With one almighty sweep it sent Ryanna’s father flying over the top of the volcano, the wind ceased, the spell failed, and the monster drew itself to its full one hundred feet once again. â€Å"NOOOOOOOO!† Ryanna’s mother screamed in agony and despair, and with a snarl that sounded more like a wolf than a woman, she dashed forwards, a shower of electricity falling around her. With a thrust of her arm and a word, she hurled a massive bolt of thunder at the monster. It was knocked off its feet and landed with an earth shattering crash. Ryanna’s mother, however, had performed a spell that was beyond her power and endurance. She fell and landed on her back, blood flowing from her nose, ears, eyes and mouth at the same time. She remained there motionlessly until little six–year–old Ryanna toddled over. To her, it was just all a magic show that her parents put on for her, as they always did. Her mother looked at her through her bloody eyes while she smiled delightedly and clapped the tiny little hands. Her mother smiled back weakly, and with tremendous effort, she pulled out a small, silver, beautifully decorated pendant. Ryanna’s big, emerald, green eyes opened wide as she slipped it around her neck. â€Å"Guard this well, my child,† she said, and they were the last words she ever spoke. Ryanna waited patiently for her mother to speak again. When she didn’t, Ryanna bent over and gently stroke her stone cold, once beautiful face. Still there was no response, and Ryanna began to panic. She squeezed her mother’s arm as hard as her small hands could, and pulled on her hair. Ryanna began to scream. â€Å"MOTHER!† she cried in between sobs. The dead woman did not answer, but there was a loud, deep grunt. Ryanna turned to see the monster rise, now so angry that its eyes turned livid red. With a stamp of its feet, the monster split the mountainside and Ryanna had just enough time to dodge as her mother’s lifeless body disappeared into a bubbling lake of lava. The monster turned on her, red eyes flashing, and with an ear–splitting roar, it shot a huge jet of flames at the child. As the hot, burning mass came at her, something clicked inside Ryanna, it was a terrible rage, and a thirst for vengeance.

Forward the Foundation Chapter 12

13 Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. Gleb Andorin watched Gambol Deen Namarti trudging up and down. Namarti was obviously unable to sit still under the driving force of the violence of his passion. Andorin thought: He's not the brightest man in the Empire or even in the movement, not the shrewdest, certainly not the most capable of rational thought. He has to be held back constantly-but he's driven as none of the rest of us are. We would give up, let go, but he won't. Push, pull, prod, kick. Well, maybe we need someone like that. We must have someone like that or nothing will ever happen. Namarti stopped, as though he felt Andorin's eyes boring into his back. He turned around and said, â€Å"If you're going to lecture me again on Kaspalov, don't bother.† Andorin shrugged lightly. â€Å"Why bother lecturing you? The deed is done. The harm-if any-has been done.† â€Å"What harm, Andorin? What harm? If I had not done it, then we would have been harmed. The man was on the edge of being a traitor. Within a month, he would have gone running â€Å" â€Å"I know. I was there. I heard what he said.† â€Å"Then you understand there was no choice. No choice. You don't think I liked to have an old comrade killed, do you? I had no choice.† â€Å"Very well. You had no choice.† Namarti resumed his tramping, then turned again. â€Å"Andorin, do you believe in gods?† Andorin stared, â€Å"In what?† â€Å"In gods.† â€Å"I never heard the word. What is it?† Namarti said, â€Å"It's not Galactic Standard. Supernatural influences. How's that?† â€Å"Oh, supernatural influences. Why didn't you say so? No, I don't believe in that sort of thing. By definition, something is supernatural if it exists outside the laws of nature and nothing exists outside the laws of nature. Are you turning into a mystic?† Andorin asked it as though he were joking, but his eyes narrowed with sudden concern. Namarti stared him down. Those blazing eyes of his could stare anyone down. â€Å"Don't be a fool. I've been reading about it. Trillions of people believe in supernatural influences.† â€Å"I know,† said Andorin. â€Å"They always have.† â€Å"They've done so since before the beginning of history. The word ‘gods' is of unknown origin. It is, apparently, a hangover from some primeval language of which no trace any longer exists, except that word. Do you know how many different varieties of beliefs there are in various kinds of gods?† â€Å"Approximately as many as the varieties of fools among the Galactic population, I should say.† Namarti ignored that. â€Å"Some people think the word dates back to the time when all humanity existed on but a single world.† â€Å"Itself a mythological concept. That's just as lunatic as the notion of supernatural influences. There never was one original human world.† â€Å"There would have to be, Andorin,† said Namarti, annoyed. â€Å"Human beings can't have evolved on different worlds and ended as a single species.† â€Å"Even so, there's no effective human world. It can't be located, it can't he defined, so it can't be spoken of sensibly, so it effectively doesn't exist.† â€Å"These gods,† said Namarti, continuing to follow his own line of thought, â€Å"are supposed to protect humanity and keep it safe or at least to care for those portions of humanity that know how to make use of the gods. At a time when there was only one human world, it makes sense to suppose they would be particularly interested in caring for that one tiny world with a few people. They would care for such a world as though they were big brothers-or parents.† â€Å"Very nice of them. I'd like to see them try to handle the entire Empire.† â€Å"What if they could? What if they were infinite?† â€Å"What if the Sun were frozen? What's the use of ‘what if?† â€Å"I'm just speculating. Just thinking. Haven't you ever let your mind wander freely? Do you always keep everything on a leash?† â€Å"I should imagine that's the safest way, keeping it on a leash. What does your wandering mind tell you, Chief?† Namarti's eyes flashed at the other, as though he suspected sarcasm, but Andorin's face remained good-natured and blank. Namarti said, â€Å"What my mind is telling me is this-If there are gods, they must be on our side.† â€Å"Wonderful-if true. Where's the evidence?† â€Å"Evidence? Without the gods, it would just be a coincidence, I suppose, but a very useful one.† Suddenly Namarti yawned and sat down, looking exhausted. Good, thought Andorin. His galloping mind has finally wound itself down and he may talk sense now. â€Å"This matter of internal breakdown of the infrastructure-† said Namarti, his voice distinctly lower. Andorin interrupted. â€Å"You know, Chief, Kaspalov was not entirely wrong about this. The longer we keep it up, the greater the chance that Imperial forces will discover the cause. The whole program must, sooner or later, explode in our faces.† â€Å"Not yet. So far, everything is exploding in the Imperial face. The unrest on Trantor is something I can feel.† He raised his hands, rubbing his fingers together. â€Å"I can feel it. And we are almost through. We are ready for the next step.† Andorin smiled humorlessly. â€Å"I'm not asking for details, Chief. Kaspalov did and look where that got him. I am not Kaspalov.† â€Å"It's precisely because you're not Kaspalov that I can tell you. And because I know something now I didn't then.† â€Å"I presume,† said Andorin, only half-believing what he was saying, â€Å"that you intend a strike on the Imperial Palace grounds.† Namarti looked up. â€Å"Of course. What else is there to do? The problem, however, is how to penetrate the grounds effectively. I have my sources of information there, but they are only spies. I'll need men of action on the spot.† â€Å"To get men of action into the most heavily guarded region in all the galaxy will not be easy.† â€Å"Of course not. That's what has been giving me an unbearable headache till now-and then the gods intervened.† Andorin said gently (it was taking all his self-restraint to keep from showing his disgust), â€Å"I don't think we need a metaphysical discussion. What has happened-leaving the gods to one side?† â€Å"My information is that His Gracious and Ever to Be Beloved Emperor Cleon I has decided to appoint a new Chief Gardener. This is the first new appointee in nearly a quarter of a century.† â€Å"And if so?† â€Å"Do you see no significance?† Andorin thought for a moment. â€Å"I am not a favorite of your gods. I don't see any significance.† â€Å"If you have a new Chief Gardener, Andorin, the situation is the same as having a new administrator of any other type-the same as if you had a new First Minister or a new Emperor. The new Chief Gardener will certainly want his own staff. He will force into retirement what he considers dead wood and will hire younger gardeners by the hundreds.† â€Å"That's possible.† â€Å"It's more than possible. It's certain. Exactly that happened when the present Chief Gardener was appointed and the same when his predecessor was appointed and so on. Hundreds of strangers from the Outer Worlds-â€Å" â€Å"Why from the Outer Worlds?† â€Å"Use your brains-if you have any, Andorin. What do Trantorians know about gardening when they've lived under domes all their lives, tending potted plants, zoos, and carefully arranged crops of grains and fruit trees? What do they know about life in the wild?† â€Å"Ahhh. Now I understand.† â€Å"So there will be these strangers flooding the grounds. They will be carefully checked, I presume, but they won't be as tightly screened as they would be if they were Trantorians. And that means, surely, that we should be able to supply just a few of our own people, with false identifications, and get them inside. Even if some are screened out, a few might make it-a few must make it. Our people will enter, despite the supertight security established since the failed coup in the early days of First Minister Seldon.† (He virtually spat out the name, as he always did.) â€Å"We'll finally have our chance.† Now it was Andorin who felt dizzy, as if he'd fallen into a spinning vortex. â€Å"It seems odd for me to say so, Chief, but there is something to this ‘gods' business after all, because I have been waiting to tell you something that I now see fits in perfectly.† Namarti stared at the other suspiciously and looked around the room, as though he suddenly feared for security. But such fear was groundless. The room was located deep in an old-fashioned residential complex and was well shielded. No one could overhear and no one, even with detailed directions, could find it easily-nor get through the layers of protection provided by loyal members of the organization. Namarti said, â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"I've found a man for you. A young man-very naive. A quite likable fellow, the kind you feel you can trust as soon as you see him. He's got an open face, wide-open eyes; he's lived in Dahl; he's an enthusiast for equality; he thinks Joranum was the greatest thing since Dahlite cokeicers; and I'm sure we can easily talk him into doing anything for the cause.† â€Å"For the cause?† said Namarti, whose suspicions were not in the least alleviated. â€Å"Is he one of us?† â€Å"Actually, he's not one of anything. He's got some vague notions in his head that Joranum wanted sector equality.† â€Å"That was his lure. Sure.† â€Å"It's ours, too, but the kid believes it. He talks about equality and popular participation in government. He even mentioned democracy.† Namarti snickered. â€Å"In twenty thousand years, democracy has never been used for very long without falling apart.† â€Å"Yes, but that's not our concern. It's what drives the young man and I tell you, Chief, I knew we had our tool just about the moment I saw him, but I didn't know how we could possibly use him. Now I know. We can get him onto the Imperial Palace grounds as a gardener.† â€Å"How? Does he know anything about gardening?† â€Å"No. I'm sure he doesn't. He's never worked at anything but unskilled labor. He's operating a hauler right now and I think that he had to be taught how to do that. Still, if we can get him in as a gardener's helper, if he just knows how to hold a pair of shears, then we've got it.† â€Å"Got what?† â€Å"Got someone who can approach anyone we wish-and do so without raising the flutter of a suspicion-and get close enough to strike. I'm telling you he simply exudes a kind of honorable stupidity, a kind of foolish virtue that inspires confidence.† â€Å"And he'll do what we tell him to do?† â€Å"Absolutely.† â€Å"How did you meet this person?† â€Å"It wasn't I. It was Manella who really spotted him.† â€Å"Who?† â€Å"Manella. Manella Dubanqua.† â€Å"Oh. That friend of yours.† Namarti's face twisted into a look of prissy disapproval. â€Å"She's the friend of many people,† said Andorin tolerantly. â€Å"That's one of the things that makes her so useful. She can weigh a man quickly and with very little to go on. She talked to this fellow because she was attracted to him at sight-and I assure you that Manella is not one who is usually attracted by anything but the bottom line-so, you see, this man is rather unusual. She talked to this fellow-his name is Planchet, by the way-and then told me, ‘I have a live one for you, Gleb.' I'll trust her on the matter of live ones any day of the week.† Namarti said slyly, â€Å"And what do you think this wonderful tool of yours would do once he had the run of the grounds, eh, Andorin?† Andorin took a deep breath. â€Å"What else? If we do everything right, he will dispose of our dear Emperor Cleon, First of that Name, for us.† Namarti's face blazed into anger. â€Å"What? Are you mad? Why should we want to kill Cleon? He's our hold on the government. He's the facade behind which we can rule. He's our passport to legitimacy. Where are your brains? We need him as a figurehead. He won't interfere with us and we'll be stronger for his existence.† Andorin's fair face turned blotchy red and his good humor finally exploded. â€Å"What do you have in mind, then? What are you planning? I'm getting tired of always having to second-guess.† Namarti raised his hand. â€Å"All right. All right. Calm down. I meant no harm. But think a bit, will you? Who destroyed Joranum? Who destroyed our hopes ten years ago? It was that mathematician. And it is he who rules the Empire now with his idiotic talk about psychohistory. Cleon is nothing. It is Hari Seldon we must destroy. It is Hari Seldon whom I've been turning into an object of ridicule with these constant breakdowns. The miseries they entail are placed at his doorstep. It is all being interpreted as his inefficiency, his incapacity.† There was a trace of spittle in the corners of Namarti's mouth. â€Å"When he's cut down, there will be a cheer from the Empire that will drown out every holovision report for hours. It won't even matter if they know who did it.† He raised his hand and let it drop, as if he were plunging a knife into someone's heart. â€Å"We will be looked upon as heroes of the Empire, as saviors. Eh? Eh? Do you think your youngster can cut down Hari Seldon?† Andorin had recovered his sense of equanimity-at least outwardly. â€Å"I'm sure he would,† he said with forced lightness. â€Å"For Cleon, he might have some respect; the Emperor has a mystical aura about him, as you know.† (He stressed the â€Å"you† faintly and Namarti scowled.) â€Å"He would have no such feelings about Seldon.† Inwardly, however, Andorin was furious. This was not what he wanted. He was being betrayed. 14 Manella brushed the hair out of her eyes and smiled up at Raych. â€Å"I told you it wouldn't cost you any credits.† Raych blinked and scratched at his bare shoulder. â€Å"But are you going to ask me for some now?† She shrugged and smiled rather impishly. â€Å"Why should I?† â€Å"Why shouldn't you?† â€Å"Because I'm allowed to take my own pleasure sometimes.† â€Å"With me?† â€Å"There's no one else here.† There was a long pause and then Manella said soothingly, â€Å"Besides, you don't have that many credits anyway. How's the job?† Raych said, â€Å"Ain't much but better than nothing. Lots better. Did you tell that guy to get me one?† Manella shook her head slowly. â€Å"You mean Gleb Andorin? I didn't tell him to do anything. I just said he might be interested in you.† â€Å"Is he going to be annoyed because you and I-â€Å" â€Å"Why should he? None of his business. And none of yours, either.† â€Å"What's he do? I mean, what does he work at?† â€Å"I don't think he works at anything. He's rich. He's a relative of the old Mayors.† â€Å"Of Wye?† â€Å"Right. He doesn't like the Imperial government. None of those old Mayor people do. He says Cleon should-â€Å" She stopped suddenly and said, â€Å"I'm talking too much. Don't you go repeating anything I say.† â€Å"Me? I ain't heard you say nothing at all. And I ain't going to.† â€Å"All right.† â€Å"But what about Andorin? Is he high up in Joranumite business? Is he an important guy there?† â€Å"I wouldn't know.† â€Å"Don't he ever talk about that kind of stuff?† â€Å"Not to me.† â€Å"Oh,† said Raych, trying not to sound annoyed. Manella looked at him shrewdly. â€Å"Why are you so interested?† â€Å"I want to get in with them. I figure I'll get higher up that way. Better job. More credits. You know.† â€Å"Maybe Andorin will help you. He likes you. I know that much.† â€Å"Could you make him like me more?† â€Å"I can try. I don't know why he shouldn't. I like you. I like you more than I like him.† â€Å"Thank you, Manella. I like you, too. A lot.† He ran his hand down the side of her body and wished ardently that he could concentrate more on her and less on his assignment. 15 â€Å"Gleb Andorin,† said Hari Seldon wearily, rubbing his eyes. â€Å"And who is he?† asked Dors Venabili, her mood as cold as it had teen every day since Raych had left. â€Å"Until a few days ago I never heard of him,† said Seldon. â€Å"That's the trouble with trying to run a world of forty billion people. You never hear of anyone, except for the few who obtrude themselves on your notice. With all the computerized information in the world, Trantor remains a planet of anonymities. We can drag up people with their reference numbers and their statistics, but whom do we drag up? Add twenty-five million Outer Worlds and the wonder is that the Galactic Empire has remained a working phenomenon for all these millennia. Frankly I think it has existed only because it very largely runs itself. And now it is finally running down.† â€Å"So much for philosophizing, Hari,† said Dors. â€Å"Who is this Andorin?† â€Å"Someone I admit I ought to have known about. I managed to cajole the security establishment into calling up some files on him. He's a member of the Wyan Mayoralty family-the most prominent member, in fact-so the security people have kept tabs on him. They think he has ambitions but is too much of a playboy to do anything about them.† â€Å"And is he involved with the Joranumites?† Seldon made an uncertain gesture. â€Å"I'm under the impression that the security establishment knows nothing about the Joranumites. That may mean that the Joranumites no longer exist or that, if they do, they are of no importance. It may also mean that the security establishment just isn't interested. Nor is there any way in which I can force it to be interested. I'm only thankful the officers give me any information at all. And I am the First Minister.† â€Å"Is it possible that you're not a very good First Minister?† said Dors, dryly. â€Å"That's more than possible. It's probably been generations since there's been an appointee less suited to the job than myself. But that has nothing to do with the security establishment. It's a totally independent arm of the government. I doubt that Cleon himself knows much about it, though, in theory, the security officers are supposed to report to him through their director. Believe me, if we only knew more about the security establishment, we'd be trying to stick its actions into our psychohistorical equations, such as they are.† â€Å"Are the security officers on our side, at least?† â€Å"I believe so, but I can't swear to it.† â€Å"And why are you interested in this what's-his-name?† â€Å"Gleb Andorin. Because I received a roundabout message from Raych.† Dors's eyes flashed. â€Å"Why didn't you tell me? Is he all right?† â€Å"As far as I know, but I hope he doesn't try any further messages. If he's caught communicating, he won't be all right. In any case, he has made contact with Andorin.† â€Å"And the Joranumites, too?† â€Å"I don't think so. It would sound unlikely, for the connection is not something that would make sense. The Joranumite movement is predominantly lower-class-a proletarian movement, so to speak. And Andorin is an aristocrat of aristocrats. What would he be doing with the Joranumites?† â€Å"If he's of the Wyan Mayoralty family, he might aspire to the Imperial throne, might he not?† â€Å"They've been aspiring for generations. You remember Rashelle, I trust. She was Andorin's aunt.† â€Å"Then he might be using the Joranumites as a stepping-stone, don't you think?† â€Å"If they exist. And if they do-and if a stepping-stone is what Andorin wants-I think he'd find himself playing a dangerous game. The Joranumites-if they exist-would have their own plans and a man like Andorin may find he's simply riding a greti-â€Å" â€Å"What's a greti?† â€Å"Some extinct animal of a ferocious type, I think. It's just a proverbial phrase back on Helicon. If you ride a greti, you find you can't get off, for then it will eat you.† Seldon paused. â€Å"One more thing. Raych seems to be involved with a woman who knows Andorin and through whom, he thinks, he may get important information. I'm telling you this now so that you won't accuse me afterward of keeping anything from you.† Dors frowned. â€Å"A woman?† â€Å"One, I gather, who knows a great many men who will talk to her unwisely, sometimes, under intimate circumstances.† â€Å"One of those.† Her frown deepened. â€Å"I don't like the thought of Raych-â€Å" â€Å"Come, come. Raych is thirty years old and undoubtedly has much experience. You can leave this woman-or any woman, I think-safely to Raych's good sense.† He turned toward Dors with a look so worn, so weary, and said, â€Å"Do you think I like this? Do you think I like any of this?† And Dors could find nothing to say.

Saint Martin De Porres High School - 1392 Words

Literature Review Dominique L. Aaron Ohio University Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland, Ohio is a co-ed catholic college preparatory institution on a mission to provide a quality education and invaluable work experience to inner city youth. The vision Saint Martin de Porres High School has for each student is to attend a college or university. Thus far their goal has been achieved; however the school does not guarantee your student a baccalaureate degree. Saint Martin students usually fall under the category of first-generation college students. Their lack of knowledge and experience about higher education sets them at a disadvantage when it comes to academic success and graduation completion. Formal research has yet to be conducted on the success of Saint Martin de Porres High School students. Due to personal ties with Saint Martin de Porres High School, it is necessary to look into these issues to preserve the longevity of Saint Martin and to ensure the success of its graduates beyond high school graduation. So why aren’t Saint Martin de Porres alumni completing college? What practices have Saint Martin de Porres administrators delayed implementing? Is it the responsibility of Saint Martin to thoroughly educate students on what to expect after high school? These are all questions that come to mind while searching for research on how to improve academic success and graduation completion among Saint Martin graduates. Thus far, the