Minding Our Elders®

Caregiver alert: today’s middle-aged women first generation not expected to outlive male counterparts

We've read the statistics repeatedly. Stress shortens life. Caregivers are generally stressed by the many demands, emotional and physical, on their time and energy. Many are of the sandwich generation, those who are defined as caregivers for both the young and the aged. Several studies show that 30 percent of caregivers will die before the people they care for. This is not just true of older caregivers. All ages are at risk since stress levels, combined with self-neglect because of time constraints and exhaustion, can lead to undetected cancers, depression, auto-immune diseases, high blood pressure and other health risks.

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Glen Campbell goes public about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Alzheimer's disease is no respecter of fame, talent or financial status. Witness the sad news that, according to MSNBC, Glen Campbell, 75-year-old Grammy winner, has announced that he's been diagnosed with AD. Campbell is loved by his diverse fan base for his pop/country hits, but is also widely admired by guitarists for his exceptional talent on that instrument.

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Volunteers of America hosts 3rd Annual Panel on Aging in America

As our nation’s population ages, there’s a need for in-depth discussion around the need for policy that addresses the cultural shift sparked by an aging population. On May 10, 2011, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the Volunteers of America will host their third annual panel discussion in Washington, D.C. on the future of care and services for older Americans.

This year's discussion is titled "Women and Aging 2011: Implications for an Aging Population." The panel will feature Arianna Huffington, Editor-in-Chief of the Huffington Post, Debra Ness of the National Partnership for Women and Families, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, Executive Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement for AARP, Mike King, National President and CEO of Volunteers of America and Dr. Bob Arnot, Medical Journalist and Best-Selling Author.

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Love and sexuality not only for the young

Recently, I received a question from a reader whose mother, in her late 70s, is in love with a man who just turned 80. The reader wondered what I thought about this situation, because she frankly, as she put it, found it “creepy.” While I am aware that readers on this site have had some issues with inappropriate sexual behavior when an elder has dementia – something quite common, actually, and often very hard to cope with – this woman’s question was about her mother and her mother’s gentleman friend, neither of whom show any signs of dementia. She wondered if this couple should or should not “be allowed” to act on their love and sexual needs.

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Finding Gratitude Even When the Feeling Is Elusive

Dear Readers: As we watch loved ones suffer with health issues and decline, it’s not always easy to find anything to be grateful for. Even though most of us know that many people face harsher circumstances than we do, it’s human to succumb to self-pity. It’s easier to slide into a negative mindset when we feel lonely and isolated - forgotten in our troubles than it is to find things to be grateful for. Yet, Thanksgiving, the holiday many of us will celebrate this week, is supposed to be about gratitude.

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Elder Abuse Can be Subtle

Recently, the administrators of a local chain of church-based nursing homes with an excellent reputation got a shock. Some newly hired carers who had freshly earned Certified Nursing Assistant's (CNA) ratings, were found to have been poking an elderly woman in the breasts and laughing at the woman's distress. One also spit on the woman and giggled.

When one member of the group had an attack of conscience and reported the incidences, administrators were outraged. The CNAs were not only fired, but prosecuted, as they should be. Their behavior would turn the stomachs of most people with any heart at all for vulnerable elders.

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Sheehy's Passages in Caregiving Delivers

Dear Readers: I was sent a review copy of Gail Sheehy’s new book, “Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence,” which I find to be a well researched guide to nearly every challenge family caregivers face. Sheehy is the author of 15 books, among them the bestselling “Passages.”

Sheehy lends credibility to her work as she describes her 17 years as her husband’s caregiver. “Passages in Caregiving” is a skillful mix of direct information and personal storytelling, which speaks to caregivers of all types. It’s well organized for ready reference, yet holds the reader with a personal touch.

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The Empowered Elder Advocate: We Won't Be Brushed Aside

Many of us are old enough to remember the accepted thought that the doctor was always right. We were trained to bow to the superior knowledge of the doctor, because after all, why would you go to the doctor if you already knew all of the answers? We still see doctors because of their expertise, of course, but we are learning to be a partner in health care. In my opinion, a good doctor will welcome our input because the more they know about us or the person we are advocating for, the better they can be at helping us.

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10 Ways Alzheimer's Affects Legal Issues

Fellow blogger  on OurAlzheimer's, Christine Kennard, wrote an excellent post on Alzheimer's and legal documents. I want to pass it on to you here:

"How do caregivers take over the administration of estates and care for people who seem unable to look after themselves and their financial affairs? In this Sharepost I look at how Alzheimer's can affect judgement, their capacity to make decisions and their competency. It is important that caregivers help to protect the legal and human rights of someone with a progressive form of dementia like Alzheimer's at the same time as implementing any healthcare plan they may need.

1. There are two words that will be used and which are important to know about; they are capacity and competency."

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Medicare Part D Enrollment and Veteran Scam

Dear Readers: It’s the time of year when seniors or those who care for them need to be doing some Medicare housekeeping. The Insurance Department is gearing up for the Medicare Part D annual enrollment period.

Read about Medicard enrollment, The Family Caregiver Support Program Veteran scam:

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Seniors Get Educated About Health Care Fraud and Scams

The SMP programs, formerly known as Senior Medicare Patrol, are set up to help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect and prevent health care fraud. This is one way that seniors help peers, as most SMP volunteers, trained to help seniors watch for fraud, are Medicare recipients.

On the SMP site, seniors can find their state and simply click to get contact information for their area. Whether a senior wants to be trained as a volunteer, or is wondering if something on their bill is fishy, this is the place to go. I find this a brilliant way for seniors to help seniors see that Medicare dollars go where they are intended to go, and to watch for other types of scams. Do check out the SMPsite.

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"Ask Medicare" Newsletter Worth Signing Up For

Medicare bears watching for those of us who care for seniors, as well as those of us who are seniors. Many of us are both. I received my September/October e-mail for my “Ask Medicare” newsletter and thought that I should remind many caregivers and seniors that for most of us (if we use a computer or have friends or families who do), Social Security and Medicare issues are often more easily understood by going to the Web site than by waiting for someone to help you on the phone. Obviously, sometimes phone calls and even appointments are necessary. But the government sites have come a long way. The link below takes you to the current newsletter which has some important reminders as it is sign-up season for many who will be looking at their Medicare D prescription drug plans. I feel it's worth your time.

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PBS Hosts Boomer Series: Life (Part 2)

I received a press release from PBS on their new "Life (Part 2)" series. After checking out clips and their site, felt that this is well worth passing on.

From the release:

"The PBS series Life (Part 2) premiers nationwide on September 13. (check local listings.)  Our series connects with the 78 million strong baby boomers who are unlike generations before them. They are fitter, will live longer, will look better, will earn more, and will be more active than any generation before them. But are they ready for Life (Part 2)? How they are dealing with aging, and how they can overcome the societal, physical and financial obstacles that come with it to live a vibrant and fulfilling second part is the focus of this timely and groundbreaking series. I’m hoping your readers would be interested in checking us out, there seems to be a lot of overlap with your content and ours. 

Hosted by Emmy winning New York Times journalist Robert Lipsyte, the series provokes, entertains, and educates boomers on a wide range of topics from plastic surgery, boomer dating and successful boomer marriages, to getting rid of the boomer belly, keeping a fit mind and body, and fighting ageism while looking for an encore career. With wit, insight, and the experience of having made the passage himself, Lipsyte engages in candid dialogue with a wide range of guests including Joy Behar, Martha Stewart, Phil Donahue, Gail Sheehy, David Hyde Pierce, Billie Jean King, and Governor Mike Huckabee among many others.

Check out our website at(www.pbs.org/lifepart2) which features video, a blog written by our Host, and tons of great resources."

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Beware of Health Scams Aimed at Aging Parents

You see the ads everywhere these days—“Smart Drugs” for long life or “Arthritis Aches and Pains Disappear Like Magic!” or even statements claiming, “This treatment cured my cancer in 1 week.” It’s easy to understand the appeal of these promises. But there is still plenty of truth to the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!”

Health scams and the marketing of unproven cures have been around for many years. Today, there are more ways than ever to sell these untested products. In addition to TV, radio, magazines, newspapers, infomercials, mail, telemarketing, and even word-of-mouth, these products are now offered over the Internet—with websites describing miracle cures and emails telling stories of overnight magic. Sadly, older people are often the target of such scams.

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Online Health Records: Life and Cost Saving Potential

One of my co-writers on OurAlzheimers.com is Dorian Martin, whose mother died from Alzheimer's disease. Here's an excellent post from Dorian about online health records. I heartily agree.

Health Care Reform's Online Records System Would Be Godsend for Alzheimer's Caregivers

"A lot of conversations are going on around the United States about health care reform. The Dallas Morning News recently ran an article entitled, “Who really profits from digital medical records?” reporters Dave Michaels and Jason Roberson wrote that computerization of medical records was a significant part of the federal stimulus package, with $45 billion reserved for hospitals and physicians to make the conversion. The reporters added that medical errors cost the United States $37.6 billion annually. Standards and timelines play a key part in this portion of the health reform. 

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Program encourages CHAT on health care

I’d venture to say that nearly everyone is aware there’s a big push to change the way our health insurance system works. People have many ideas about how this should be done and diverse thoughts about what choices should be offered. That said, the need to change the status quo is obvious to most people. Some states are offering their residents a chance to voice their opinions through “Choosing Health plans All Together,” better known as CHAT.

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Department of Treasury Survey Says Direct Deposit the Way to Go

I find this information interesting enough to pass along. Direct deposit seems much safer than paper checks, and people don't have to wait for the mail or worry about a holiday slowing things down. Now, the Department of Treasury is sending out encouragement to caregivers and seniors to "Go Direct."

The information in this press release comes from the Department of Treasury:

I wanted to be sure you’re aware of new findings from a nationwide survey of caregivers and others, sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Management Service. According to findings of the survey, half of American caregivers are now helping to manage the finances of a parent, friend or other person needing their care – adding significantly to caregivers’ levels of stress and anxiety. Surprisingly, only 52 percent of caregivers receiving Social Security payments on behalf of the person they care for say they use direct deposit.

A longstanding priority for Treasury, direct deposit is a decades-old time-saving tool that is safer, easier and gives people more control over their money than paper checks. According to Treasury information, when there is a problem with a Social Security payment, nine times out of 10 it’s with a paper check, not a direct deposit payment. Last year alone, an estimated $64 million in Treasury-issued checks – including Social Security payments – were fraudulently endorsed.

Please consider sharing this information with your readers and letting them know that federal benefit recipients can easily switch from paper check to direct deposit through Treasury’s Go Direct^® campaign helpline, 1-800-333-1795, or online at www.GoDirect.org. The Go Direct^® campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks.

Please note that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Management Service is the source of this information.

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"Caring For Our Parents" Informative With a Personal Edge

Howard Gleckman is a senior research associate at The Urban Institute. Gleckman was senior correspondent in the Washington bureau of BusinessWeek, where he covered health and elder care, as well as tax and budget issues for nearly twenty years. Gleckman’s background shows in his book Caring for Our Parents: Inspiring Stories of Families Seeking New Solutions to America’s Most Urgent Health Crisis. He’s first and foremost a journalist. Gleckman presents a thoroughly researched book covering caregiving from the many aspects we family caregivers must consider. He takes our system to task (few caregivers would argue that he has many good points here), and presents some interesting stories, including the story of his own family and their caregiving journey. The personal experience is Gleckman’s jumping off point, as it is with most of us who’ve written caregiving books, and work in the field. Until you’ve walked in the shoes of a caregiver, it’s hard to truly relate. Once you have been a family caregiver, it’s often hard to let go. Caring for Our Parents gives an informed view of our health care system for elder care, as it now stands. Gleckman has interesting views and shares good information. The book, published by St. Martin’s Press, is available online and in book stores.

 

 

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Should Promoting the Arts as Treatment for People with Alzheimer’s Receive More Attention?

In a talk at Cheltenham Science Festival, Dr John Zeisel made it clear that current attitudes about people with Alzheimer's are outdated. In a news article on Google.com, titled, "Call to change Alzheimer's attitude,,"  Zeisel, president of  Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, an international provider of non-pharmacological treatment for people with dementia, was quoted as saying, "We need a complete sea change in attitudes towards Alzheimer's if we are to even begin to respond to this growing health crisis."

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Consumer Reports Launches New Hearing Aid Site

Hearing aids. Most people put off the decision to buy or not to buy hearing aids as long as they can. The equipment keeps getting better (and more confusing and more expensive). Also, there's a certain amount of ego deflation involved in admitting hearing loss due to aging, though much hearing loss is due to our noisy society and is occurring at younger ages.

Consumer Reports has launched a very good site about hearing aids, how to rate them, buy them and what to look for in the business you trust to help you with your hearing problem. If hearing loss troubles your or your loved one, check out this site. There's a lot of good information.

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