New Program to Prepare for Disabilities – CLASS

On August 23, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Caring for an aging parent, Elder Law, Healthy Aging, Home Health Care Agencies |Visiting Nurse, Independent Living, Non-Medical Home Care, Senior Home Care, Senior Living, The American Economy Affecting Seniors, By SilverCensus

I just read about a federally-funded program that will begin in 2012 that working adults can sign up for that will help them stay in their homes if they are disabled. It’s called CLASS, or Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act, and “will take only the approval of the patient’s own doctor to get most claims approved.”

There is so much frustration that comes with getting money from insurance companies as we age. There are a ton of loopholes and papers and waiting on the phone just to get information which sometimes leads to a denial letter. Insurance companies have been known to take advantage of seniors in this position.

CLASS was created to prevent all that from happening. The National Counsil on Aging said that about 10 million Americans need some sort of long-term assistance to help them with day-to-day functions. The benefits of CLASS address that growing number.

It is said that premiums will be between $50 and $75 per month, but they could go up if not enough people sign up for CLASS. So don’t forget! Mark your calendar and keep CLASS in mind!

Post by Kate Valdovinos. Information from http://bit.ly/aflyYD.

SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge.  Clients include assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD housing & independent living communities. We also provide free VA assistance for Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are standing by 24/7 at 888-776-1311 or through the web at: SilverCensus.com

 
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Discount Hearing Program for Veterans

On July 6, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Caring for an aging parent, Healthy Aging, VA Benefits for Assisted Living|Home Care, By SilverCensus
Are you a Veteran or related to one?  HearUSA honors the service of all Veterans, and acknowledges the sacrifices and support given by their family members. Which is why HearUSA offers unique discounts on hearing care to Veterans, and their family members, who currently do not receive benefits through the VA. Call 888-829-5594 to schedule a hearing exam today.
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iRobot’s Response to Future Senior’s Needs

On June 30, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Caring for an aging parent, Healthy Aging, Independent Living, Non-Medical Home Care, Senior Home Care, Senior Living, By SilverCensus

iRobot Corporation has plans to make senior living at home a much easier task.

Colin Angle, co-founder and CEO of iRobot, is concerned with the growing population of seniors and the lower number of caretakers for these seniors in the future. Concerned with his own mother’s safety, Angle says, “Why not create a robot buddy in the home that you can call and activate, and it can drive around the home and make sure that she’s not fallen down the stairs.”

iRobot’s machines are designed to make people’s lives easier. They have machines that clean and protect and the company continues to grow as more needs are apparent.

Angle also mentioned a program called CLASS (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act) through healthcare reform. The program will assist people living at home instead of moving to an assisted living community so they can keep their independence for a longer amount of time. Angle feels that iRobot’s machines will work with this program and will enrich people’s lives.

Information obtained from http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2010/05/03/daily48-Colin-Angle-shares-iRobots-future-in-senior-healthcare-energy.html. Post by Kate Valdovinos.

 
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Unconditional Love From Pets Leads to Better Health For Seniors

On June 28, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Caring for an aging parent, Healthy Aging, Senior Home Care, Senior Living, By SilverCensus

The Journal of American Geriatrics Society published a study showing that seniors that live by themselves with pets have “better physical and mental health than those that don’t. They are more active, cope better with stress, and have better overall health.”

Lower overall blood pressure was found in the seniors with pets. In a senior residential community called Eden Alternative and has birds, dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens, there was a “15% lower mortality rate than traditional nursing homes over the past five years.”

Why is this?

The physical exercise that comes with owning a pet is one reason. Walking the dog, feeding the pets, cleaning their bowls, maintaining their litter habits, and petting and grooming them all require constant physical activity. These daily requirements are a constant motivator to be more active.

Companionship is healthy for senior living as well. With or without family and friends, a pet is another personal friend and can “act as a support system.” While other seniors may not come into contact with many people at all, these pets can sometimes be the only companionship some seniors have, which can help with depression. Also, these daily requirements give order to a person’s life when there may not be any.

“The animals help patients keep their mind off their problems,” says Jean S. Uehl, the center’s director of nurses. “The love the patients get from the animals is unconditional.”

Interested?

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, financially as well. Remember the activities required for them that can oftentimes become a burden if the person’s heart is no longer in owning a pet. When you’re ready, check out the humane society. Many pets at the humane society are already spayed or neutered, are up-to-date on costly puppy or kitten shots, are potty trained, and their demeanor is already known.

It’s also important to plan ahead in case a retirement community is in the future, where they may not allow pets. Having a “god parent” for your pet is very important. Sending a pet back to the humane society gives them a lack of trust of people and decreases their chance of happiness again.

Information obtained from http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?art_key=1973ee87-a0d7-4f77-a930-1824ffcf8eda. Post by Kate Valdovinos.

 
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What’s So Great About Depression?

On June 26, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Caring for an aging parent, Healthy Aging, Prescription Drugs & Seniors, Senior Living, By SilverCensus

Depression has been increasingly diagnosed by doctors and there has been an increase in the dispensing of anti-depression medicines for the last few decades.

Why is this?

Psychiatrists believe that there isn’t an increase in people becoming depressed, but there is a decrease in the stigma associated with depression and therefore an increase in treatments.

There are many explanations for depression: anger, loss, the gap between reality and preception, “chemical imbalances,” and physical ailments to name a few.

To be clinically diagnosed as depressed, a doctor must declare that five out of the nine symptoms of depression must be present for at least two weeks: depressed mood, decreased interest in activities, significant weight loss or gain, disturbed sleep patterns, physical agitation or lethargy, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

In severe depressions, “tricyclic” drugs prove to be more effective than recent or updated drugs, which tend to alleviate symptoms of symptoms.

Some random truths about depression:

- We do not get all of our brain cells early in life and continue to lose them. We continually make new ones throughout our life. New cells are made everyday and are effeccted by our memories of the day.

- The smaller the hippocampus, the greater the chance of depression. New experiences are needed to create new cells in the hippocampus.

- Memories change with depression.

- Memories can cause depression. Images are analyzed by our brains and compared to existing memories.

- Genes can cause depression.

- Smells can affect depression.

- Being mentally and physically healthy decreases depression.

- REM sleep helps to decrease depression.

- Some placebos in testing experience depression relief if they believe they’re getting anti-depression medicine.

One theory of depression was that when we quit caring about dominance or mating, we get depressed. Our brains attach importance with status. These roles we play affect us long-term and as we age, these roles for us change.

It is very important to research depression by changing the attachment given to problems causing it.

Science is still researching depression and its causes.

Information obtained from Kevin Turnquist. Post by Kate Valdovinos.

 
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