More Lung Cancer Screenings Available

A doctor and patient looking at a book


The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force expanded recommendations for lung cancer screening from the age of 55 down to the age of 50, while smoking intensity has been reduced from 30 to 20 pack year history (meaning one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years).  The new criteria is expected to increase eligibility from 6.4 million adults to 14.5 million, according to an editorial by University of North Carolina School of Medicine professors which was published in the journal JAMA.  “There’s a huge need to diagnosing patients early,†Dr. David Carbone, an oncologist and lung cancer specialist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, told USA Today.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/03/09/lung-cancer-screening-guidelines-double-number-people-eligible/4641108001/

End Of Life Planning Must Be Addressed In This Pandemic

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


At Family inHome Caregiving, we always encourage our clients to have a nutritional diet, get enough exercise and do estate planning like setting up a living trust, signing a POLST and power of attorneys for both medical and financial.  However, getting exercise in this coronavirus environment is difficult and you would be surprised how many people have not set up end-of-life paperwork.  Kate De Bartolo, director of the Conversation Project, believes that end-of-life-care planning is something that more and more Americans will embrace dearly in light of the pandemic, even younger people.  Traffic and downloads of end-of-life planning material have surged this year, she noted.  One thing that has been highlighted in the pandemic has been that many people may change their mind about asking for all available life saving methods in their POLST and medical power of attorney.  Given that COVID-19 victims are isolated and can’t see their family and friends before they pass away may make living pointless under those lockdown conditions.

https://www.facebook.com/TheConversationProject/posts/end-of-life-care-planning-is-something-many-put-off-says-kate-debartolo-director/3651234638270719/

Pacific Grove, CA Tip For Diabetics : Exercise Frequently

A blood glucose level chart showing the optimal levels.


If your job requires you to do a lot of sitting, make sure you take frequent breaks especially if you are diabetic.  The ADA’s 2020 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes recommends doing a light activity for every 30 minutes of uninterrupted sitting.  Sitting increases insulin resistance, and it also increases blood pressure and impedes blood flow.  I know that this is tough to do now that the entire state of California has been put on lockdown.  We can’t go to Point Lobos or the beach, but try taking a walk around the block!

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

A nurse is smiling next to an older woman.


Pebble Beach, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) CNA 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.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A blue background with some type of virus


There were 27 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,844 cases, with no new deaths reported.  Nationwide, there were 79,513 new cases, more than 20K new cases than were reported the day prior.  Deaths rose by 1,591 to more than 545K to date.  In California, there were 2,448 new cases reported, for a total of more than 3.65 million cases.  Deaths rose by 151 to more than 58K. Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Carmel, CA Seniors Turning To Telehealth Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

A person holding a stethoscope in front of a laptop.


More and more seniors are turning to Telehealth programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  “When you’re not feeling well, having to get up, get dressed and drive all the way to the hospital and then get in line and then possibly get sick from someone else is not all that appealing,†Marla Jo Fisher, a writer, told AARP Bulletin (November 2020, page 44).  Medicare is expanding coverage of telehealth visits during the pandemic, changes which hopefully will remain in place.  The Department of Health and Human Services recently reported that less than 1% of primary care visits in February were via Telehealth, a number which jumped to 43.5% in April.  California has a bill going into effect on January 1 requiring all insurers to pay for Telehealth visits.  If your doctor isn’t using Telehealth, talk to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, on suggestions.

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

A red heart with the words i love caregivers written underneath it.


Monterey, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) CNA 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, Pacific Grove, 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.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of a cell with viruses inside


There were 23 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,817 cases, with no new deaths reported.  There is still no vaccine available for children under the age of 16, and many families worry about sending them back to school.  “I think it’s important for kids to have something closer to normal activities, be it returning to in-person to school, doing their sports, their social activities as long as they continue to be careful,†Dr. Kawsar Talaat, of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told a reporter.  However, she cautioned, “It’s probably still a good idea to keep the kids masked inside as much as you can.  Nationwide, there were 59,782 new cases, bringing the total just over 30 million in the U.S.  Deaths rose by 1,479 to 544,495.  In California, there were 2,605 new cases which brings the cume total up to 3.649 million.  Deaths rose by 147 to 58,023.  Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

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

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


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.

 

Monterey, CA Elder Abuse Alert

A pile of money sitting next to stacks of cash.


Although anyone can be a victim of the many scams that criminals are carrying out now, data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that consumers age 80 and older are far more likely to be scammed by phone and lose the most money, a median of $1,250.  “Even if you do everything perfectly, you can still be susceptible to fraud,†Shameka Walker, a fraud and identity theft program manager at the FTC, told Kiplinger’s Retirement Report.  Most scammers are hacking in to find your email address and hawking you products that you may have been searching for.  Other popular scams are selling fake COVID-19 vaccines and PPE equipment to protect against the virus. Seniors living in Carmel, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach are particularly vulnerable as these crooks target high-income areas.