https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20283-scam-alert-dont-be-fooled-by-a-fake-package-delivery-scam
Pacific Grove, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Fed Ex And UPS Tracking Alerts Could Be Fake : By Derek Baine
Salinas, CA Aging At Home Is Now In Vogue : Assisted Living On The Outs : By Derek Baine
coronavirus is changing the way Americans face retirement by “accelerating developments already under way,†physician Bill Thomas said to the reporter. “It’s going to make people rethink retirement altogether,†Laura Carstensen, director of Stanford University’s Center on Longevity said. Most people will age at home, and remain independent, she said. I believe that her view is true. With roughly 40% of COVID-19 being staff and residents of nursing homes, nobody wants to go into a facility these days. We have been getting a number of calls from fearful children who want to get their parents out of assisted living and back home, where they can reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure. Although COVID-19 will eventually be wiped out, there will clearly be more devastating diseases in the future which makes these facilities dangerous.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-covid-19-will-change-aging-and-retirement-11605452401
Congratulations To Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System : By Derek Baine
Congratulations are in order to SVMH, which was awarded Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center this month. The award is for meeting rigorous standards of nursing excellence and is given to only 8% of hospitals in the U.S. There are now 34 hospitals in California identified as Magnet hospitals. “Achieving Magnet recognition, especially in the face of COVID-19, is a testament to our staff and high standard,†SVMH President & CEO Pete Delgado said in a statement.
Tech Giants Jump Into Rapidly Growing Healthcare Business : By Derek Baine
Google parent Alphabet Inc. and hospital chain HCA Healthcare struck a deal this week to develop algorithms using patient records which could help physicians make more informed decisions about patient care. They aren’t the only ones to jump into the rapidly growing healthcare space. JPMorgan Chase is investing $250 million in startups and technologies which are meant to make healthcare more efficient and effective. Amazon.com and Walmart have also partnered on primary care which will enable them to push their prescription pharmaceuticals business. The U.S. is projected to spend about $4 trillion on healthcare this year (according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). That’s roughly 20% of GDP so it’s no big surprise that these big companies are jumping into this fast growing sector.
Can A Robot Be The Cure For Lonely Seniors? By Derek Baine
There was an interesting article in the May 31 issue of The New Yorker (page 24) about Virginia Kellner, who got her cat, which she named Jennie, for her ninety-second birthday. The catch—it’s not real. The Department of the Aging started offering robotic dogs and cats to seniors as part of a New York state loneliness intervention project. A Meals on Wheels driver delivered the pet to her, and was as curious as Virginia to open the box. Virginia pulled the cat’s tail, and it let out a tinny meow: one of more than thirty sounds and gestures like eye closing, mouth opening and head turning which the Joy for All cats are designed to make. What a wonderful idea!
Carmel, CA Financial Mishaps Can Be Signs Of Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease, By Derek Baine
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.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/business/alzheimers-dementia-personal-finance.html
Carmel
Carmel, CA Financial Mishaps Can Be Signs Of Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease
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.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/business/alzheimers-dementia-personal-finance.html
Pebble Beach, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available
Pebble Beach, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available (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, 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.
Exciting New Cancer Breakthrough : By Derek Baine
Grail, a subsidiary of the DNA sequencing company Illumina, plans to introduce the first liquid biopsy test by the end of the year. Grail’s is rolling out its Galleri test, which can detect 50 types of cancer, 45 of which have no recommended screening in the U.S. Another company called Exact Sciences is developing its own multi-cancer screening test. However, it won’t be ready until 2025
President Joe Biden’s Medicaid Plan Helps Family Caregivers : By Derek Baine
President Joe Biden has an ambitious plan to help seniors, including asking Congress to lower the age of Medicare eligibility to 60, and a $450 billion fund to help family caregivers over the next ten years. The latter would include a $5,000 tax credit for caregivers, and should reduce waiting lists for in-home and community-based care.