Monterey, CA Alzheimer’s Association Is There For You When You Need Support

A purple background with the alzheimer 's association logo.


The Alzheimer’s Association just released its latest edition of its annual Alzheimer’s Disease Facts And Figures report, with tidbits like these:

More than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease, a number which is expected to more than double to 13 million by 2050;

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Deaths have increased by 16% during the pandemic;

1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia.  It kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined;

In 2021 Alzheimer’s and other dementia will cost our nation $355 billion.  By 2050 this number is expected to more than triple to $1.1 trillion;

More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.  In 2020, they provided 15.3 billion hours of care valued at more than $250 billion;

Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from heart disease have decreased by 7.3% while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 145%.

These statistics are bleak, however, this is definitely worth a read.  It also comes with an accompanying special report entitled Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer’s in America.  This examines the perspectives and experiences of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native and White Americans in regard to Alzheimer’s and dementia care.  The report also analyzes the horrible impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

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/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures?WT.mc_id=enews2021_03_03&utm_source=enews-aff-20&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2021-03-03&utm_content=homeoffice&utm_term=Story1

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of a cell with viruses inside


There were 55 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,316 cases.  There was one more new fatality reported, bringing the total to 329.  Nationally, the number of cases were up by 56,672 for a total of 28.7 million and deaths rose by 1,425 to 515K. Thankfully, new federal data shows that the number of COVID-19 cases dropped by 89% from December through the second week of February.  In California, we now have 3.574 million cases and 52,548 deaths.

Monterey, CA Retiring? Think About Decluttering

A jar of coins with the word retirement written on it.


The November 2020 issue of the Kiplinger Retirement Report had an article on retiring and getting rid of all of that extra junk that you have lying around—while making a profit!  For instance, called Decluttr (available on both the Apple iPhone and Google Android) where all you have to do when selling electronics (as well as accessories like video games, DVDs and CDs) is input the make and model.  They will email you a price quote that is good for four weeks and a shipping label for mailing the item.  No need to send in photos or any information, just wipe all personal data clean and send the equipment in.  Another interesting app is The RealReal which will buy designer clothes.  You just bag them up and mail them in and they apparently give a decent price for used clothes.

Pacific Grove, CA Social Security Policy For Spouses Who Haven’t Worked


The November 2020 issue of Kiplinger’s Retirement Report (page 18) went over some of the tricky parts of Social Security.  One reader wrote in and asked when his wife can receive benefits and how much will she get given that she has not worked and, therefore, has not paid anything into the Social Security Fund.  The answer?  Like anyone else she can start receiving benefits starting at the age of 62.  If she does, she would get 33.5% of her husband’s full retirement benefit.  However, if she waits until her full retirement age, she will receive 50% of his benefits.

Carb Counting Important For Diabetics

A farmers market with fresh vegetables and fruits.


The September/October Issue of Diabetes Forecast (page 30) had an article about how important carb counting is when you are diabetic.  Compared with protein and fat, carbs have the greatest effect on your blood glucose.  By counting how many grams of carb you’ll be eating, you can more accurately dose mealtime insulin and keep your blood glucose level stable.  Read the labels on prepared foods that you buy, many of them will already have this information.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A blue background with some type of virus


There were 62 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,261 cases.  There were no new fatalities reported.  Nationally, the number of cases were up by 2,550 for a total of 28.458 million. New cases have fallen by more than 60% since late December as more nursing home residents get vaccinated.  Deaths rose by 2,550 to 512K. In California, cases rose by 6,642 today.  That brought the cume total to 3.563 million.  There were 513 deaths reported in the Golden State, bringing the total to nearly 52K.

The History Of Family inHome Caregiving : Part 2 The Race Is On

A man and woman cutting an apple on a board.


I first started working with seniors way back when I was 18 years old and I worked at a skilled Nursing Facility in Tigard Oregon. The staff used to try and come up with things to entertain our clients, so we decided to ask some of the patients if they would want to come up with ideas for us to entertain them during slow times in the afternoon. One of the residents asked if we could have races in wheelchairs and we thought that would be a fun idea, so the race was on. The patients liked that idea and some of them started betting on the winners (a penny for the winning wheelchair that crossed the line first), like if they were at a horse race. The hall we used was about 100 feet long and about 8 feet wide which could accommodate two wheelchairs. We would move obstacles out of the hall to make it safer to wheel down and back to the finish line. The patients asked us to use their wheelchair so they could feel a part of the race itself. We had a good time doing this. There was around six of us that participated in the races. There was a coworker who was really good at it and she would win most the time she was up. Of course, the patients really cheered her on by clapping and cheering as she passed the rooms. The patients would sit just inside their rooms in order to keep the aisles clear and for their own safety. One time when I was up, I raced against a woman and I’ll tell you, she was good, she won but not by much. The patients kept wanting me to race against her until I could win, but I never did. The thing that I noticed is that it helped some of our patients to smile again and have a good time, for that short while during the races they would forget about where they were or how they felt and just have a good time and they were always better for it. There were a few times that some of the staff would tie with each other and the patients wanted a re-race so they could collect their penny. The second race was always harder than the first so that there was almost never a second tie because you would wear out during the second trip up and down the hall. I know it probably does not sound like it could wear you out, but after rolling a wheelchair up and down an approximate 100-foot hallway twice, it got to your arms. No one had ever had to do three trips; it would have been too much for the arms to take. Of course, the nicer and newer the wheelchair was had a lot to do with the speed and ease of use. There was a time that each staff wanted to use certain wheelchairs because it would give you an advantage over your component. It was not a huge advantage, but when you did need to do a second race due to a tie, it helped out at that point in time. These were good times for both patients and staff and we liked do it.  Also, it was good exercise, and a cardiovascular workout. One time in the middle of a race a foot pedal came off and the staff member lost the race, so the patients that had bet on him asked that they redo the race due to mechanical error. The wheelchair was fixed, and the two staff members went out again.  Then the person that had the mishap in the first race won the second race, and the patients wanted a run-off.  However, the staff members did not have it in them to do a third time up and back and so we disqualified that race, so no one lost their penny. After about a month of doing these we noticed that some of the patients started getting bored with the idea and they wanted to be the ones doing the race, but the facility said that they could not do it, so as with all good things it came to an end.  For more background on myself and the company, click here:

The History Of Family inHome Caregiving : Part 1 The Rocking Chair

 

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver : CA Deaths Surpass 50K

A close up of an orange and blue piece of art


There were 61 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,199 cases.  There was one new fatality reported, for a total of 328.  Nationally, the number of cases were up by 77,804, for a total of 28.380 million. Deaths rose by 3,427 to 509K. In California, cases rose by 7,357 today.  That brought the cume total to 3.556 million.  There were 482 deaths reported in the Golden State, bringing the total over 51K.

Monterey County Elder Abuse Alert : Scammers Posing As The Police

A pile of money sitting next to stacks of cash.


The Monterey police are warning local residents of a phone scam where callers identify themselves as law enforcement and demand payment, threatening you with arrest if you don’t comply.  Some identify themselves with the actual names of local or federal law enforcement.  They will ask you to buy bitcoin or gift cards and then read the serial numbers off of the cards.  Your caller ID may show the call is coming from a local law enforcement agency, the FBI or the IRS.  If you receive a suspicious call, you can contact the Monterey Police Department at 646-3830 or 646-3914.

https://www.montereyherald.com/2021/02/26/monterey-police-warn-residents-of-phone-scams/?utm_email=7404B4F5358244C5647B14D271&g2i_eui=B5dv00xjia5jtX%2fZFTuOn45qYHnjNzVq&g2i_source=newsletter&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.montereyherald.com%2f2021%2f02%2f26%2fmonterey-police-warn-residents-of-phone-scams%2f&utm_campaign=norcal-monterey-morning-report&utm_content=automated

 

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver : CA Deaths Surpass 50K

A close up of a cell with viruses inside


There were 107 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,138 cases.  There were four new fatalities reported, for a total of 327.  Nationally, the number of cases were up by 70,768, for a total of 28.302 million. Deaths rose by 2,204 to 506K. In California, cases rose by 4,667 today.  That brought the cume total to 3.549 million.  There were 1,054 deaths reported in the Golden State (more than 3x the 306 cases reported yesterday), bringing the total over 50K.