Inflation Hitting Caregivers Hard : Get Long Term Care Insurance (LTC) If You Can Afford It

A man and woman looking at a laptop


Inflation is at the highest level that we have seen in more than four decades, and it is taking a toll on family caregivers.  It’s so expensive, in fact, that Amy Goyer—AARP’s family and caregiving expert and an author of two books on the subject—had to file for bankruptcy after taking care of her parents.  Once she ran out of money, she started putting expenses on credit cards and things got out of control.  “I am a caregiving expert.  How did I end up in bankruptcy?†she told the Wall Street Journal.  People are living longer, which can be a blessing but also a curse.  After more than a decade of caring for her mother, who had a stroke, her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s so she had the burden of caring for two parents.  There are 53 million family caregivers in America who provide $470 billion per year in free care.  On average, caregivers spend 26% of their income on caregiving expenses, according to a 2021 AARP study.  The median average cost of care rose 18.5% from 2016 to 2020 and now stands at $55K per year, according to Long Term Care Insurance (LTC) Genworth.  Get LTC Insurance while you are still young and its more affordable.

New Book Cost Of Living Explores Healthcare System Inside And Out

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


A new book by Emily Maloney called “Cost of Living†explores the health care system from a unique point of view.  The book’s author tried to kill herself when she was 19 and ended up in a psych ward.  Later in life she worked as an emergency room tech and later in hospital billing, so she has seen the healthcare system from the inside and the outside.  The book explores the financial side of the health care system but also the emotional side where hospital staff can sometimes be callous.  It’s worth a read.

Watsonville, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA OR HHA Designation A Plus

A woman helping an older person with papers


Watsonville, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA OR HHA Designation A Plus (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-tierra,Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, Salinas, Seaside & Soledad

We have developed a reputation for having the best caregivers (Home Care Aides or Senior Companions) in Monterey County over the past decade and have recently expanded into Santa Cruz County.   We are currently looking for qualified caregivers.

Family inHome Caregiving of Monterey and Santa Cruz is seeking compassionate, mature and dependable caregivers who want to improve the lives of our elderly Clients by providing in-home, non-medical care.  Our services include:

Caring companionship

Meal preparation

Incidental transportation

Running errands

Light housekeeping

Medication reminders

Monitoring of safety while bathing

Information and referral services

Other services that improve the safety, security and quality of life of seniors.

If you believe you would make an exceptional Home Care Aide, we would love to hear from you!  We prefer those with experience helping the elderly, disabled and others with mobility problems.  Having cared for those with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s is a plus.  To work for us, you must have excellent references, a clear criminal record, a good driving record, and an insured reliable vehicle.  To apply, please visit our website www.fhcofm.com, click on home care aides, then careers where you can fill out an application online.

Alliance On Aging To Host Connecting Seniors With Technology Classes

A person holding an iphone in their hand.


Alliance on Aging is offering free one-on-one technology training classes for seniors age 60+ every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., by appointment only.  Learn the basics on how to use your devices – smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, computers, and laptops.  The training is provided by Loaves Fishes and Computers at 236 Monterey Street in Oldtown Salinas.  For an appointment, call 831-646-4931 or 831-512-1330.

https://files.constantcontact.com/bc5ea53b001/4f04eedf-894a-4ba8-81db-2d03a7b42cf5.pdf

Robert Califf Confirmed As FDA Commissioner

A man in white lab coat and tie.


In a close vote, The Senate voted 50 to 46 in favor confirming Robert Califf to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).   Califf was opposed by some Republicans after being pressured by abortion-pill opponents as well as some Democrat’s because of Dr. Califf’s industry ties.  Six Republicans voted for confirmation while four Democrats and independent Senator Bernie Sanders voted against him.  As FDA Commissioner, Dr. Califf will play a key roll in overseeing the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Corral-de-tierra, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA OR HHA Designation A Plus

A nurse is smiling next to an older woman.


Corral-de-tierra, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA OR HHA Designation A Plus (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, Salinas, Seaside, Soledad & Watsonville

We have developed a reputation for having the best caregivers (Home Care Aides or Senior Companions) in Monterey County over the past decade and have recently expanded into Santa Cruz County.   We are currently looking for qualified caregivers.

Family inHome Caregiving of Monterey is seeking compassionate, mature and dependable caregivers who want to improve the lives of our elderly Clients by providing in-home, non-medical care.  Our services include:

Caring companionship

Meal preparation

Incidental transportation

Running errands

Light housekeeping

Medication reminders

Monitoring of safety while bathing

Information and referral services

Other services that improve the safety, security and quality of life of seniors.

If you believe you would make an exceptional Home Care Aide, we would love to hear from you!  We prefer those with experience helping the elderly, disabled and others with mobility problems.  Having cared for those with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s is a plus.  To work for us, you must have excellent references, a clear criminal record, a good driving record, and an insured reliable vehicle.  To apply, please visit our website www.fhcofm.com, click on home care aides, then careers where you can fill out an application online.  We have immediate openings all over Monterey County.

Prescription Drugs’ List Price Up 6.6% In Just 3 Weeks


Drug makers typically raise their prices in the beginning of the year and 2022 has been no exception.  A new study found that about 150 drug makers raised prices on 866 products in the U.S. during the first three weeks of the year by 6.6%.  That’s slightly less than the overall inflation rate of 7% over the past year, but there still may be more drug price hikes on the way.  Therefore, it’s possible that this could be a record year for drug price increase.  Some of the numbers have been eye popping, such as the 536% increase Exelan Pharmaceuticals implemented for its generic high blood pressure treatment Lisinopril.

People Are Living So Long Many Seniors Now Caring For Their Own Parents

A man and woman looking at a laptop


The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story about the fact that seniors are living longer and sometimes forced to care for their own parents in what are supposed to be their relaxing golden years.  We believe it!  Most of our caregivers are usually in their 20’s or 30’s or they are 50 and older.  The Journal story profiled Bob Tiller, an 80-year old retired lobbyist for nonprofits, who manages care for his 101-year old mother.  Both Bob and his mother are in continuing care facilities, but very far away from each other.  If there is an emergency with his mother, he makes the five-hour drive to see her.  He’s not alone.  An estimated 19% of the nation’s 53 million unpaid family caregivers are 65 and older, up from 13% in 2004.  Those 75 years and older make up a healthy 7% of our nation’s caregivers, according to the 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.  This will continue to contribute to a growing crisis as people live longer and there aren’t enough caregivers to care for them.

 

Castroville, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA OR HHA Designation A Plus

A man and woman sitting in a wheelchair.


Castroville, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA OR HHA Designation A Plus (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Valley,Corral-de-Tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, Salinas, Seaside, Soledad & Watsonville

We have developed a reputation for having the best caregivers (Home Care Aides or Senior Companions) in Monterey County over the past decade and have recently expanded into Santa Cruz County.   We are currently looking for qualified caregivers.

 

Family inHome Caregiving of Monterey is seeking compassionate, mature and dependable caregivers who want to improve the lives of our elderly Clients by providing in-home, non-medical care.  Our services include:

Caring companionship

Meal preparation

Incidental transportation

Running errands

Light housekeeping

Medication reminders

Monitoring of safety while bathing

Information and referral services

Other services that improve the safety, security and quality of life of seniors.

If you believe you would make an exceptional Home Care Aide, we would love to hear from you!  We prefer those with experience helping the elderly, disabled and others with mobility problems.  Having cared for those with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s is a plus.  To work for us, you must have excellent references, a clear criminal record, a good driving record, and an insured reliable vehicle.  To apply, please visit our website www.fhcofm.com, click on home care aides, then careers where you can fill out an application online.

Eli Lilly Gets Bad News About Its New Lung Cancer Drug Tuvut

A woman with glasses and a tie dye shirt smoking.


In a 14:1 vote, a panel advising U.S. drug regulators said Eli Lilly & Company and its Chinese partner (Innovent Biologics) needs to conduct more studies on a proposed new lung-cancer drug called Tuvut before giving FDA approval.  The panel was concerned about the tests done on the drug in China and said it had significant shortcomings and its results were not applicable to U.S. patients who would use the drug.  This is due in part that the study participants didn’t reflect the diversity of the U.S. population and they also suggested that Innovent undercounted adverse events.

FDA officials have recently cited concerns about the quality of drug studies conducted largely in China and whether the results in Chinese patients are directly applicable to patients in the U.S.  The most recent recommendation by the panel advising the FDA isn’t just a setback to Eli Lilly, but is likely a shot over the bow to let U.S. drug companies know that they need to more carefully screen their Chinese partners or they may risk having important drugs see a long delay before gaining FDA approval or even being denied FDA approval altogether.