Health and Disability

Thousands of California Elders Losing Long-Term Care

New America Media, News Report , Paul Kleyman, Sidebar by Justine Drennan, Posted: Aug 10, 2009

Thousands of California Elders Losing Long-Term Care

New America Media, News Report , Paul Kleyman, Sidebar by Justine Drennan, Posted: Aug 10, 2009

Ortiz & Carol Walton from Paul Billingsley on Vimeo.

Renowned bassist Ortiz Walton was once the youngest person and first African American to play in the Boston Symphony.

But at 75, not only can’t Walton play his bass, but he cannot bathe, dress, eat or move in his wheelchair without the help of his wife, Carol, and assistance from state-subsidized services designed to keep him in their Berkeley, Calif., home and out of a nursing institution.

Those services, were line-vetoed entirely last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The governor terminated $489 million in additional spending over and above reductions already agreed on by California legislators..…..

We must pass CCA!

Technorati Tags: LTC,HCBS,California

 

Thousands of California Elders Losing Long-Term Care - NAM

She has never signed a power of attorney, legally designating you as the person she wants to make decisions and transactions for her if she is incapacitated.

Is it too late? Is the only option an expensive trip to court to invoke a conservatorship?

Maybe not, says elder-law attorney Tim Takacs of Hendersonville. He stresses that, if possible, you avoid conservatorship, which is a legal right given to a person to be responsible for the assets and finances of a person who is incapacitated. A judge oversees decisions the conservator makes.

Takacs argues that just because there is a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia, it doesn't mean the person can't sign a power of attorney.

"The law says there is a presumption of competency," Takacs said. "Merely because you have a diagnosis does not change the presumption. It doesn't matter if you have had Alzheimer's disease for eight years. You are still presumed to have full competency. Mental capacity is not an all or nothing thing."……

Technorati Tags: LTC,dementia,conservatorship

Avoid conservatorship; opt for power of attorney | jacksonsun.com |

Nearly 80% of family caregivers are finding the caregiving experience emotionally rewarding, despite initial negative perceptions of caregiving, according to a nationwide survey by Caring Today magazine.
Published in conjunction with National Family Caregivers Month this November, the Caring Today survey shows that caregivers have distinctly more positive feelings after caring for a family member than they did as they were about to take on the responsibility. The number of caregivers finding the experience highly rewarding jumped by 50% following the caregiving experience…..

Technorati Tags: LTC,caregiver rewards

National Survey: Caregivers Find Unexpected Emotional Rewards in Tending for Family Members

I had a recent email from a reader who asked a critical question that I have heard before:  How do you care for someone with dementia when they are not a "loved one"?  Isn't caregiving hard enough even when the person IS loved?

We take for granted that we are thrown into dementia caregiving situations by our roles and relationships:  a husband who cares for his loving wife of 45 years or an only child who brings her mom to live with her, without reservation.  Yet a minority of the many dementia caregivers out there are caring for those with dementia who wouldn't fall into the category of even "liked one", let alone "loved one".  These are persons who now have dementia who may have been abusive parents, unfaithful husbands or in general, led a life that made people run from them, not care for them.

The Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox : Dementia Caregiving: When A Loved One Is NOT Loved

So it's not the first time I have had the Kindle presented as a technology for seniors -- in a recent overview I did for a senior center, one of the attendees observed that I had left the product out. Two days ago as I walked past two elderly individuals seated on motorized scooters in the back of an ampitheater in Chautauqua NY, a family member poked me as we walked by -- they were listening to music side-by-side AND reading books on their Kindles -- which they might have learned about at the Amazon product forum for seniors. I think they were friends.

Kindle is a device for downloading books -- up to 1500 of them. It's not cheap -- at $299 -- or upwards of $359 and beyond for latest models..……

Amazon, Kindle, boomers and seniors -- they get it | Aging In Place Technology Watch

Yeah, yeah, Skype is cool for boomers and seniors -- especially grandparents. Free video conferencing with the grandkids and free long-distance calls -- even if some of them are a bit flaky in quality, probably due to a poor Internet connection. And the teaser (of course) is to upgrade you to their low, low international long distance phone plans. Okay, sounds good -- and I know folks love it -- "Do you Skype?" is a frequent starter for planning a meeting. But let's just forget Skype for a minute -- a jaw-dropping service may be around the corner -- Google Voice.

Google has snuck up on the long distance world -- and said 'Boo'. Google grabbed a million phone numbers from Level 3, according to NetworkWorld, and in the past few weeks has enabled users to sign up online and be 'invited' to select one of those numbers, which can be in your standard local area code, selected by you from a displayed list. What can you do with that number? Well that's the game changer, as they like to say in the tech world……

Technorati Tags: LTC,Google Voice

Google Voice -- Compelling phone service trumps Skype for Boomers and Seniors | Aging In Place Technology Watch

More than 33 percent of accidents and falls involving people over age 65 occur at home, according to the CDC. A caregiver’s worries never end, particularly when the elderly parent wants to remain living in their own home – which most seniors would prefer to do for as long as possible. But what if an elderly mother falls, or dad has heart attack, stroke or any medical emergency? What if they are home alone? What if they can’t get to a telephone to dial for help?…….

Technorati Tags: LTC,PERS

How Choose an Emergency Alert System

Did you know that of the three million Americans age 65 and older who are involved in accidents every year, a majority were injured right in their own homes?

The good news is that many of these accidents can be prevented. With a small investment of time and effort, you can help protect yourself or your loved one from dangers in the home.

A Five Step Plan for Protecting Against Accidents

There is no magic formula for avoiding mishaps in the home. But advanced planning and taking proactive steps can lower the risk. Here is a simple plan to follow for making safety a greater priority:

Good stuff worth looking at…..

Senior Helpers National In Home Care Talks About Home Safety and Security for Seniors « Senior Helpers National In Home Care

From the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care:

Articles on Ombudsman programs, awards, and lots of other stuff.

JULY09-Gazette.pdf (application/pdf Object)

On average, not-for-profit nursing homes deliver higher quality care than do for-profit nursing homes, according to a study published on bmj.com today……

Technorati Tags: LTC,nonprofit vs. forprofit,nursing homes

Do Not-For-Profit Nursing Homes Provide Better Quality Care?