Carmel, 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.  She 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/

Pebble Beach, CA In Home Dialysis Expands Under Medicare

A woman and a nurse smiling for the camera.


Senior citizens with kidney problems will have an option of in-home dialysis care covered by Medicare.  About 1 in 3 Medicare patients that are struggling with end-stage renal disease will be enrolled in the new program.  In addition to being more convenient, it will reduce the risk of being exposed to people with COVID-19.  Medicare also announced that it will increase the amount it pays provider of home kidney treatments to help gain traction with the program.  About 92,000 Americans are currently on the kidney transplant list.  For more information, talk to one of our local dialysis centers in Monterey County which are listed here:

https://www.dialysisfinder.com/dialysis-centers/monterey/ca/100#.X9Kn79hKjcs

Pebble Beach, CA Hope For Those With ALS, AKA Lou Gehrig’s Disease

A doctor and patient looking at a book


Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, seems similar to Alzheimer’s disease but attacking the body rather than the brain.  There is no cure for either disease, and the ailment just continues to progress and leave you more and more debilitated.  However, USA Today recently ran an article about three promising themes:

  1. A new drug—developed in part with money from the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge—increased the average survival of patients in clinical trials by 7.5 months.
  2. A first-ever clinical trial is testing multiple ALS treatments at once; and
  3. Record levels of federal research funding are planned for this year.

Many are hopeful that Amylyx’s AMX0035 which got a $2.2 million grant from the $111 million Ice Bucket Challenge, will be approved by the FDA.  Findings for AMX0035’s Phase 2 trial were so promising that the ALS community is pushing the FDA to fast track approval.  They have gone so far as to ask the FDA to skip a Phase 3 trial, the only time in history that the ALS Association has asked the FDA to do so.  However, it’s a long-shot.  If you or a loved one are struggling with ALS, contact the Monterey Chapter of ALS here:

http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=14647&NONCE_TOKEN=D30086CF168CADF46857EB53C986C9EA

Social Security Tips To Avoid Income Tax Surprises

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


Many seniors are surprised to find out that their Social Security benefits are taxable, and the bill can be significant.  The amount that is taxable for an individual earning $25K to $34K is 50%, while if you make more than $34K then 85% of your benefits are probably taxable.  What to do when you don’t want a surprise come April 15 is to fill out Form W-4V with The Social Security Administration requesting an amount to be withheld for taxes.  The choices are 7%, 10%, 12% and 22%.  These percentages apply to the full income, not the 50% or 85% that is taxable.    Most states, including California, do not tax Social Security income.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/powell/2021/03/17/2021-tax-season-are-social-security-benefits-considered-taxable-income/4717044001/

 

Carmel, CA Tips For Seniors With Balance Issues—Particularly If You Have Diabetes

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


An article in Diabetes Forecast (September/October 2020, page 40), had a top for seniors who have balance issues—brush your teeth on one leg.  You would be surprised how a series of very short, but powerful exercises throughout the day can help your balance, tight muscles, and soothe aches and pains.  The article says this is particularly important if you have type 2 Diabetes.  To get more information on diabetes, visit Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP’s, Diabetes and Nutrition website.  You will find useful information about support groups, classes and more.

https://www.chomp.org/locations/location-profile/diabetes-and-nutrition-therapy/#.X9F3p9hKjcs

Another useful resource is Community Health Innovations.  A full 45% of Monterey County residents have Diabetes or pre-Diabetes!

https://communityhealthinnovations.org/what-we-do/diabetes-prevention-management/

Carmel, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available

A nurse is smiling next to an older woman.


Carmel, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available (Also Aromas, Big Sur, 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 and Soledad

We have developed a reputation for having the best caregivers (Home Care Aides or Senior Companions) in Monterey 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.

Centenarian Beats COVID-19 Twice

Two people in a hospital room with masks on


It never amazes me that when seniors have the will to live, they can surmount many health hurdles.  Those with little social interaction and regular hobbies and activities often quickly fade away.  Congratulations go out to Carmen Hernandez who, at 104 years old, who survived COVID-19 not once, but twice.  She was first diagnosed last June and then again on March 8, and was discharged after spending 21 days in the hospital.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/04/07/104-year-old-woman-beats-covid-19-twice-colombia/7123189002/

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of the word coronavirus with an image of a virus


There were 34 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 43,260 cases, with four new deaths reported.  Nationwide, cases rose by 71,374 for a cume total of 31.5 million.  Deaths rose by 912 to 565,926.  Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Pacific Grove, CA Seniors Need A Solid Exercise Routine

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


At Family inHome Caregiving we emphasize to our clients the importance of a healthy diet, the proper amount of social interaction—difficult during the pandemic—and the right amount of exercise.  Most seniors put walking into their routine but experts say they need to add strength training.  As you age, loss of muscle strength and power leads to declining activity, increased frailty and functional dependence, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.  Resistance training is an easy way to add strength training to a daily regimen.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that seniors participate in activities at least two weeks that strengthen muscles along with a minimum of 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking.  We enjoy taking our clients for a walk on Carmel Beach or downtown Pacific Grove, which is not very crowded with very few tourists in town.

Monterey, CA Bereavement Class For Those Close To Losing A Loved One

A woman looking out of the window at her home.


For those fearful a loved one may soon pass away, there will be an Anticipatory Grief and Bereavement class on April 22 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JiYWSBw3R323FtoEGJMvKQ