Better Sleep Tips For Seniors From AARP : By Derek Baine

A woman looking out of the window at her home.


Many of us have a difficult time getting a good night’s sleep but AARP.org had some great tips for helping us get a good night’s rest.  According to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation, those who make their bed nearly every day were more likely to report having a good night’s sleep.  Also, allergens can disrupt your sleep.  You should wash your sheets at least once a week and replace your pillows at least every two years and your mattress every ten years.  Enjoying a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime can also be soothing.  In a randomized, double blind study from the University of Michigan, those taking a chamomile extract twice a day fell asleep 16 minutes faster (AARP Bulletin Volume 62, Number 4, Page 13).

Salinas, CA Causes And Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease : By Derek Baine


I volunteered for years for our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association.  They are great people and they always have plenty of information and advice.  They recently published an article regarding Causes And Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease which was eye opening.  Some risk factors like age, family history and genetics we just have to live with.  However, there are a number of lifestyle and wellness decisions that you make which can alter your risk for getting this disease.  Click on the link below to learn more.  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.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors?WT.mc_id=enews2021_04_29&utm_source=enews-aff-20&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2021-04-29&utm_content=homeoffice&utm_term=Story2

Mistakes People Make When Taking Social Security : By Derek Baine

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story entitled, The Biggest Mistakes People Make With Social Security, and in the number one position was thinking they will die young and opting to take early Social Security.  For the typical American between the ages of 55 and 64, the present value of their lifetime stream of Social Security payments amounts to about 60% of their retirement assets, according to Boston College’s Center for Retirement.  And it’s true for the wealthy, not just middle and low-income retirees.  “If you have a high-earner couple who earned the max and don’t claim until 70, you’re talking about getting the better part of $100K per year,†says Alicia Munnell, the center’s director.  “You have to be very wealthy before you don’t consider that important.â€Â  If you claim Social Security at the age of 70 rather at the age of 62, your benefit will be at least 76% higher.  That’s a lot of money over what could be decades of retirement!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-biggest-mistakes-people-make-with-social-security-11620561601

Pebble Beach, CA Artificial Intelligence Programs May Help Predict Alzheimer’s Disease : By Derek Baine

An older woman with a gray hair sitting in front of trees.


An Artificial Intelligence Program, AI, analyzed language of study participants and found it could be able to predict whether people with no memory or thinking problems would develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.  Funded by Pfizer and conducted by IBM, the program accurately predicted up to 74% of participants that were diagnosed with the disease later in life.  The study which was published in the journal EClinicalMedicine, analyzed 700 written samples from 27 participants in another study conducted decades ago.  Based on written samples, the study more accurately predicts Alzheimer’s disease than other research.  Experts say that tracking language over time could be done as part of routine medical exams.  For more info, contact our local Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan Ranch.  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.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/10/22/ibm-study-found-program-analyzing-language-predicts-alzheimers/3728608001/

DASH Diet Cuts Heart Damage, According To New Study : By Derek Baine

A stethoscope and heart on the table.


A study which was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the popular “DASH†diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) reduces heart stress and damage which often results in heart disease.  The diet emphasizes consuming fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, as well as shole grains, poultry, fish and nuts.  This sounds similar to

the Mediterranean diet, with a focus on avoiding red meat.  The Mayo Clinic says that the diet encourages the reduction of sodium and is a “lifelong approach to healthy eating that’s designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure.â€Â  Another study which was done by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School found that it reduced cholesterol and blood pressure and lowers damage to cardiac heart muscles.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-/2021/06/01/dash-diet-reduces-heart-damage-stress-study-shows/7468363002/

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

A woman helping an older person with papers


Salinas, 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, 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.

Salinas, CA Financial Mishaps Can Be Signs Of Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease

An older woman holding a pink string in her hand.


I wrote previously on my blog about the Alzheimer’s Association’s list of “Causes and Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease†and I saw a follow up article the New York Times posted today stating that financial mistakes may be an indication of dementia. This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you have a relative who is in charge of a large amount of money who has early-onset dementia, this could be very dangerous. In fact, they could lose everything. The article did a deep dive into Maria Turner, who saw a red pick up truck she liked on eBay, clicked on a button and spent $20,000. The next morning she woke up having no recollection of having bought the truck. The experience scared Maria, a critical care nurse. “I made a joke out of it, but it really disturbed me,†she told the NYT. Six years later, at the age of only 53, she had to see a doctor after she had binged on everything from garden gnomes to shoes. Doctors told her that imaging of her brain showed all of the hallmarks of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease. It could have been caused by injuries in her youth falling from horses, but doctors said there was evidence she was developing Alzheimer’s disease and frontal lobe dementia. This is a sad story, but not a new one. 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.

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Carmel, CA Alzheimer’s Caregivers Need To Come Up With A Safety Plan : By Derek Baine

A close up of some blue and yellow cells


The Alzheimer’s Association, always a good organization to get tips from when dealing with a loved one who has dementia, recently released a report about how important having a comprehensives safety plan becomes as the disease progresses.  Please click on the link below to get advice on the following topics:

Wandering;

Home Safety;

Dementia & Driving;

The Alzheimer’s Association, always a good organization to get tips from when dealing with a loved one who has dementia, recently released a report about how important having a comprehensives safety plan becomes as the disease progresses.  Please click on the link below to get advice on the following topics:

Wandering;

Home Safety;

Dementia & Driving;

Medication Safety;

24/7 Wandering Support for a Safe Return;

Technology 101;

Travelling;

Preparing For Emergencies; and

Abuse

 

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.

 

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety?WT.mc_id=enews2021_04_26&utm_source=enews-aff-20&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2021-04-26&utm_content=homeoffice&utm_term=Story3

Medication Safety;

24/7 Wandering Support for a Safe Return;

Technology 101;

Travelling;

Preparing For Emergencies; and

Abuse

 

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.

 

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety?WT.mc_id=enews2021_04_26&utm_source=enews-aff-20&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2021-04-26&utm_content=homeoffice&utm_term=Story3

Nursing Homes No Longer Able To Dump Residents : By Derek Baine

A woman looking out of the window at her home.


A California court has ruled that a woman who was barred from readmission to a Sacramento nursing facility after being sent to a hospital had her rights violated.  The process, called dumping, is used when assisted living facilities have a resident who is either unruly, isn’t paying enough, or for whatever reason is not welcome by the staff and owners.  AARP Foundation took up her case.  Although the 82 year old woman won the case, it came after both she and her husband died.  Sadly, they were never reunited after she was barred from the facility.

Carmel, CA Anthony Hopkins Stars In Heartbreaking Film About Slipping Into Alzheimer’s & Dementia : By Derek Baine

A purple background with the alzheimer 's association logo.


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.