Price Increase Is Higher Than Inflation For Many Drugs Covered By Medicare

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President Joe Biden made a campaign promise to limit big pharma’s price increases on prescription drugs to no more than inflation—and now is the time to make good on that promise.  A new study found that half of all Part D-covered drugs had list price increases above inflation between 2018 and 2019, and the median list price was rose 6.4%, or 3.5x the rate of inflation.  List prices increased by 10% or more for 14% of all Part D-covered drugs during the same time period.  Another 36% had price increases above the price of inflation but below 10%.  Enough is enough!

https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/price-increases-continue-to-outpace-inflation-for-many-medicare-part-d-drugs/?utm_campaign=KFF-2021-The-Latest&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=109729367&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_AXZh_W4n-D3VWBrKFXA_-0CRmkqxJKKUBlsKb-Niya4Pm8n01_t5IeraBLE3Zpsy3RsZYHP36wk4qheGXbVKI1qPPUQ&utm_content=109729367&utm_source=hs_email

Monterey, 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.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were 226 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 40,463 and two new deaths.  Nationwide, there were 126,842 new cases, for a total of 26.642 million.  Deaths rose by 3,221 to 475,186.  In California, there were 15,132 new cases for a total of 3.384 million, while deaths rose by 702 to 43,185.  Please stay home and stay safe.

Monterey, CA Tips For Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregivers When Adult Day Care Centers Are ClosedCare Centers Are Closed

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The San Francisco Chronicle had a great column with advice for those caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia.  This can be a challenge with Adult Day Care Centers closed and little contact with the outside world. Recommendations from their experts include broadening your network to have a friend or family member help.  This can release stress on the caregiver while giving some social interaction to the person you are caring for.  In addition, try putting on some soothing music and get them outdoors.  Fresh air and sunlight are good for the soul.  Start out with a small walk, and increase it a bit every day.  If you need someone to talk to, try the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Association which is located in Ryan Ranch.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away, and Alzheimer’s Association was a great help.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/My-father-has-dementia-How-do-I-keep-him-engaged-15923039.php

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were 133 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 40,237.  In the early stages of the pandemic, Monterey was faring much better than the rest of the country.  That’s not true anymore.  8.14% of the U.S. population has contracted COVID-19 versus 8.51% of Californians and 9.27% of Monterey County residents.  That translates to Monterey over-indexing the country by 5% and 9% of California.  The death rate, as a percentage of coronavirus diagnoses, now stands at 1.7%.  Nationwide, there were 119,014 new cases, for a total of 26.642 million.  Deaths rose by 5,206 (more than double the reported 2,198 from the day prior) to 453,965.  In California, there were 12,516 new cases for a total of 3.369 million, while deaths rose by 566 to 42,483.  Please stay home and stay safe.

COVID-19 Pandemic Has Marketers Chasing Seniors Staying At Home

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Retired baby boomers are at a high risk of COVID-19, and marketers are using this as an opportunity to market more to older people who want to stay at home.  Companies like Nestle SA, Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Danone SA are launching new products aimed at consumers who are increasingly saying they are interested in aging well, but staying at home.  “We clearly see healthy aging, even more now with the COVID world, as a huge trend,†Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber said.  The Activia yogurt maker recently launched a whey-protein product that they say aids muscles, joints and bones.  Nestle launched a powdered milk aimed at older adults that it claims enhances mobility.  Increasingly, the company has shifted its focus from making food and drink to aid the recovery of people in hospitals to helping people from being admitted in the first place.  What a great mission.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/older-shoppers-are-the-hot-new-thing-for-consumer-brands-11612002644

Monterey, CA Advanced Healthcare Planning, Polst, Will & Living Trust Workshop At CHOMP

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Nobody likes to think about dying, but it is extremely important that you prepare for the inevitable by drawing up an Advanced Healthcare Directive, POLST, Living Trust and Will so that your wishes are carried out.  Join experts at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, on Monday, February 8 from 4-5:30 p.m. or on Tuesday, February 23, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Learn how to document your wishes, receive expert medical coaching and submit your documents.  To register, click here www.chomp.org/planning.

 

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A man wearing a mask with yellow warning tape around his mouth.


Nobody likes to think about dying, but it is extremely important that you prepare for the inevitable by drawing up an Advanced Healthcare Directive, POLST, Living Trust and Will so that your wishes are carried out.  Join experts at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, on Monday, February 8 from 4-5:30 p.m. or on Tuesday, February 23, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Learn how to document your wishes, receive expert medical coaching and submit your documents.  To register, click here www.chomp.org/planning.

Monterey, CA Anthony Hopkins Stars In Heartbreaking Film About Slipping Into Alzheimer’s & Dementia

A woman and an old lady smiling at each other.


Anthony Hopkins has the lead role in a film called “The Father†about a man who refused help as he slips deeper into Alzheimer’s disease.  The film brings viewers inside the mind of the patient, allowing filmgoers to get inside the head of someone with dementia.  “It can strike anyone at any moment,†notes Hopkins.  Although he is in his 80’s, he said he is loving this stage of life.  “The past five years have been extraordinarily lucky, and the best time my life,†he said. Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are great 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.

Singer Tony Bennett Has Had Alzheimer’s Disease For Five Years

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AARP The Magazine revealed that Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease back in 2016 but it has not been revealed to the public until now because he wanted to continue to tour.  He has performed publicly as recently as 2019 and even has concert dates scheduled for later this year, with the first one starting in March.  I can see how he would want to continue performing as music does stimulate the brain.  There have been studies of Alzheimer’s patients showing that when music is played their brains really perk up.

https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/info-2021/tony-bennett-alzheimers.html