Pacific Grove, CA Financial Elder Abuse Abounds Amidst Pandemic

A pile of money sitting next to stacks of cash.


AARP The Magazine recently ran an article about financial elder abuse, which, unfortunately, is often done by a family member.  Liz Loewy, former chief of the Elder Abuse Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and now chief operating officer of a financial-monitoring company EverSafe said these crimes are all too prevalent.  Sadly, many cases go unreported.  A study of New York residents found that only 1 in 44 elder abuse cases were reported to authorities.  “They may start out helping a parent, with good intentions, and then, after the parent exhibits signs of diminished capacity, start diverting funds,†Lowey said.  “It often starts small, then progresses into ‘I wrote a few checks to pay for Johnny’s college.  I always said she wanted to help with tuition.’  Or beyond that, home improvement or a new car,†she said.  If you believe that you are witnessing elder abuse, please call Adult Protective Services.  Unfortunately, with the wealth on the Monterey Peninsula residents of Carmel, PG and Pebble Beach are often targeted.

http://mcdss.co.monterey.ca.us/aging/

Why Isn’t Dental Care Covered By Medicare?

A dentist is examining the teeth of a patient.


One of the great mysteries of the Medicare program is why they do not cover any dental work.  Many seniors forgo having dental work done because they can’t afford it, which can have a serious domino effect on their health.  The New York Times ran a story last month (June 13, page 8) about Ellen Phillips, who let a lot of teeth problems slide and eventually had to have all of her teeth extracted at a cost of $32,000.  The work was necessary because she needed heart surgery, and having dental infection or gum disease can allow bacteria to get into the bloodstream, causing serious surgical complications.  Some supplemental Medicare Advantage plans do offer a limited amount of dental coverage, but none would have covered the massive work that Ms. Phillips went through.  President Biden has proposed adding dental, vision and hearing coverage to Medicare.  I hope he is successful.  If you are in the Aptos or Santa Cruz Area, I recommend Dr. Delcore, in Santa Cruz try Stone Creek Dental.

Carmel, CA Retinal Implants To Restore Sight In Macular Degeneration Patients Shows Promise

A person holding a stethoscope in their hand.


A treatment where surgeons implant a tiny device in the retinas of patients which contain stem cells looks extremely promising for those with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  Although it has only been done with 15 patients, many participants have passed the one-year mark with improving vision.  One woman who had the treatment said, “Shortly after the surgery, I turned to my husband while we were watching TV and said, ‘I can see all of their faces!’â€Â  Doctors say FDA approval is about five years away.  To see local specialists in macular degeneration, see links below.

https://news.usc.edu/trojan-family/stem-cell-therapy-macular-degeneration-usc-clinical-trial/

https://www.montereyeye.com/our-services/retinal-care
https://www.peninsulaeyecarecenters.com/low-vision.html

http://vantageeye.com/services-macular.html

Pacific Grove, CA Join CHOMP’s Exercise Smart For Diabetes Management Class


Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, has a number of helpful classes, with one focusing on how to exercise to keep your Diabetes under control.  Learn how exercise can aid in diabetes management and get tips for safe, effective exercise.  The information you receive will include an overview of diabetes and special considerations for exercise for those with diabetes.  To register, go to www.chomp.org/classes.

Salinas, CA Las Palmas Senior Assisted Living Facility And Alzheimer’s & Dementia Memory Care Center Still Faces Opposition

A woman looking out of the window at her home.


A senior care facility which has been in the planning stages for several years continues to face opposition from the community, who say that the plan deviates from what is called the Las Palmas Specific Plan.  The issue revolves around increased traffic as well as the possibility that ambulances will frequently be zipping in and out of Las Palmas.  That document outlines land-use for the area and any amendment to this requires approval by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.  The River View at Las Palmas Residential Care Facility is a massive complex which has 90,000 square feet and three levels of care with 142 beds; 13 casitas for independent living, a two-story assisted living facility and a three-story “memory care†facility.  It was already approved by the county Planning Commission on a 6:4 split vote, but could still be held up by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, which will hold a hearing on the issue on Tuesday.

https://www.montereyherald.com/2021/07/16/salinas-proposed-las-palmas-senior-care-facility-stirs-worries-among-neighbors/?utm_email=7404B4F5358244C5647B14D271&g2i_eui=B5dv00xjia5jtX%2fZFTuOn45qYHnjNzVq&g2i_source=newsletter&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.montereyherald.com%2f2021%2f07%2f16%2fsalinas-proposed-las-palmas-senior-care-facility-stirs-worries-among-neighbors%2f&utm_campaign=norcal-monterey-morning-report&utm_content=automated

Salinas, CA Check Out CHOMP’s Diabetes Self-Management Series

A blood glucose level chart showing the optimal levels.


Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, has a great Diabetes Self-Management Series and the cost of the sessions may be covered by Medicare if you have a referral from a physician.  Learn more about your diabetes and the day-to-day skills needed to live a healthy life and prevent complications.  Registered dieticians and nurses will hold one-on-one sessions with you and talk about monitoring your blood sugar levels, the best diet, medication and non-medication options to keep you healthy.  Call 649-7220 for more information.

https://www.montagehealth.org/care-treatment/diabetes/

Monterey, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available Certified Nursing Assistant CNA Designation A Plus

A woman looking out of the window at her home.


Monterey, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available Certified Nursing Assistant CNA 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, 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.

Pacific Grove, CA Many Nutritionists Recommending Vitamin B12 And Vitamin D3 For Seniors

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


There have been debates over whether it is prudent to take just one multivitamin per day versus taking a variety of different vitamins.  Part of it depends on what your diet looks like.  Some believe supplements are not that effective.  “When you take things out of the food matrix and you put a single ingredient into a pill, it doesn’t have the same effect,†Katherine Tucker, director of the Center for Population Health at the University of Massachusetts Lowell told AARP Bulletin (June 2021, page 32).  In regards to B12 and D3, experts say that you can’t get them from plants.  In addition, as we get older, we begin to develop difficulty absorbing them in their natural form.  Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in nerve function.  A shortfall has been associated with depression, dementia, decreased cognitive function and anemia.  If you don’t get out in the sun much, a D3 supplement can be helpful.  It’s needed to maintain a healthy immune system, bones and muscles while protecting us from cognitive decline.  If you have diabetes, with a doctors note you can enroll in diabetes nutrition classes here at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP):

https://www.montagehealth.org/locations/profile/diabetes-nutrition-therapy/

They also publish a monthly schedule in the Monterey Herald with classes on fitness, estate planning, cancer and other subjects.  Many of the classes are free.

Monterey

Carmel, CA Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease The Greatest Risk For Your Portfolio In Your Golden Years

A close up of some blue and yellow cells


There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal that talked about prudently investing your retirement funds.  However, it noted that the greatest risk was not stock prices or interest rates.  Rather, it was a slow cognitive decline.  One big mistake or a series of smaller ones can wipe out your entire life savings.  To guard against this happening, investment firms like Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments and Vanguard Group are strengthening the ways they detect possible signs of cognitive decline.  This includes making web sites more difficult to navigate for someone with an impaired memory, and monitoring for frequent password changes.  Some are notifying a designated family member when they see these signs.  Good for them!  Many people who start slipping into dementia or Alzheimer’s disease try to hide this from friends and family as they are embarrassed.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are wonderful people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/baby-boomers-biggest-financial-risk-cognitive-decline-11622942343

Social Security CPI Forecasted To Be Up 6.1%

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


There is good news and bad news in a new report coming out from The Senior Citizens League, a non-partisan senior group, which raised their forecast for the Social Security from 5.3% to 6.1%.  That’s a huge increase from prior years.  However, it’s based on a basket of goods cost of living (COLA) increase, which means that the increase will likely just make up for a 6.1% hike in goods and services that you buy every day.  In addition, some things like real estate and rental prices, medical costs and long-term care are skyrocketing.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrae/2021/07/14/how-big-will-the-social-security-cost-of-living-adjustment-be-for-2022/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=personalized&cdlcid=607e1442fe2c195e916f3bb4&sh=433b142b52fa