Identifying Colon Cancer Just Got Easier

A doctor and patient looking at a book


Medtronic’s GI Genius, which was recently cleared by the FDA in order to help doctors identify precancerous polyps.  Although you will still need to have a colonoscopy, the AI tool should make doctors more accurate.  “We’re all humans,†said gastroenterologist Michael Wallace.  After back-to-back procedures, he admits, “We get tired.â€Â  Wallace consulted with Medtronics on the new technology and told a reporter, “We really have the opportunity to completely wipe out colon cancer in anybody who gets screened.â€Â  The tool, called GI Genius, has analyzed more than 13 million videos of colonoscopies in order to teach it how to recognize polyps.

https://www.wired.com/story/ai-help-wipe-out-colon-cancer/?bxid=5d9650350564ce3ac11dd859&cndid=1617543&esrc=AUTO_PRINT&mbid=mbid%3DCRMWIR012019%0A%0A&source=EDT_WIR_NEWSLETTER_0_DAILY_ZZ&utm_brand=wired&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_mailing=WIR_Daily_041221&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl&utm_term=list1_p4

Pebble Beach, CA Seniors Need A Solid Exercise Routine

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


At Family inHome Caregiving we emphasize to our clients the importance of a healthy diet, the proper amount of social interaction—difficult during the pandemic—and the right amount of exercise.  Most seniors put walking into their routine but experts say they need to add strength training.  As you age, loss of muscle strength and power leads to declining activity, increased frailty and functional dependence, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.  Resistance training is an easy way to add strength training to a daily regimen.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that seniors participate in activities at least two weeks that strengthen muscles along with a minimum of 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking.  We enjoy taking our clients for a walk on Carmel Beach, which is not very crowded with very few tourists in town.

 

Carmel, CA Retinal Implants To Restore Sight In Macular Degeneration Patients Shows Promise


A treatment where surgeons implant a tiny device in the retinas of patients which contain stem cells looks extremely promising for those with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  Although it has only been done with 15 patients, many participants have passed the one-year mark with improving vision.  One woman who had the treatment said, “Shortly after the surgery, I turned to my husband while we were watching TV and said, ‘I can see all of their faces!’â€Â  Doctors say FDA approval is about five years away.  To see local specialists in macular degeneration, see links below.

https://news.usc.edu/trojan-family/stem-cell-therapy-macular-degeneration-usc-clinical-trial/

https://www.montereyeye.com/our-services/retinal-care
https://www.peninsulaeyecarecenters.com/low-vision.html

 

Pebble Beach, CA Online Latino Caregiver Support Group

A close up of a cell with viruses inside


Please join Lory Carriedo, Julia Cruz-Moreno and Maria Quiroz on the second Monday every month from 5:30 to 7:30 for a caregiver support group sponsored by Natividad Medical Center. It can be lonely and depressing during the COVID-19 lockdown so all are encouraged to join in. Call 1-800-624-8304 for more details.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of the word coronavirus with an image of a virus


There were 53 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 43,1574 cases, with one new death reported.  Nationwide, cases rose for the third day in a row, with 81,769 new cases for a cume total of 31.114 million.  Deaths rose by 773 to 561,200.  In California, there were 3,434 new cases, for a total of 3.695 million while deaths rose by 135 to 60,325.  Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Carmel, CA Online Latino Caregiver Support Group

A heart shaped word cloud with words related to caregiving.


Please join Lory Carriedo, Julia Cruz-Moreno and Maria Quiroz on the second Monday every month from 5:30 to 7:30 for a caregiver support group sponsored by Natividad Medical Center. It can be lonely and depressing during the COVID-19 lockdown so all are encouraged to join in. Call 1-800-624-8304 for more details.

Monterey, CA New Hope For Seniors With COPD

A woman with glasses and a tie dye shirt smoking.


Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be extremely difficult.  A new medical device called Zephyr, which is working miracles in some people.  The tiny lung valve needs to be  implanted in the lungs via a bronchoscope.  The one-way valve blocks air from invading the damaged part of the lungs, where it can get trapped and hinder breathing.  “The instant I woke up from anesthesia, I felt the difference,†said one woman who had the device implanted.  Cardio Pulmonary Associates on Garden Road in Monterey would have more information on the non-surgical device which 20K people have already been treated with.

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/lung-disease-breakthrough.html

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A blue background with some type of virus


There were 41 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 43,104 cases, with two new deaths reported.  Nationwide, cases rose for the second day in a row, with 81,320 new cases for a cume total of 31.033 million.  Deaths rose by 977 to 560,427.  In California, there were 3,195 new cases, for a total of 3.692 million while deaths rose by 133 to 60,190.  Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Carmel, CA Guide To Social Security Survivor’s Benefits

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


After the death of a loved one, it can be difficult to deal with bills, insurance, and Social Security.  Of the 5.7 million people awarded Social Security benefits in 2019, 886K were survivors of deceased workers.  In total there were 3.9 million widows and widowers receiving benefits in 2019.  You should report to the Monterey County Social Security office when a spouse dies.  Their number is 1-800-772-1213.  Unfortunately, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online.  The calculation is that if your deceased spouse was taking Social Security, your benefit will be the greater of your benefit or your spouse’s benefit.  If you are not yet collecting Social Security and you’re at least 60, the best way to maximize your benefits are to collect the survivors benefit at your current age and then switch to retirement benefits starting at age 70.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2021/01/20/social-security-covid-understanding-how-survivors-benefits-work/4221795001/

Carmel, CA Tips For Warding Off Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease

A purple square with the words " the end of alzheimer 's starts with me ".


Everyone wants to keep their brains working in full order as long as possible, and the key can be healthy living, getting the proper amount of exercise and social interaction.  The latter is easier said than done given the massive spreading of coronavirus.  Although board games can be fun, with COVID-19 many seniors are turning to video games.  According to an AARP survey, 44% of adults over the age of 50 played video games in 2019 versus 38% in 2016.  That’s 10 million more older gamers!  About a quarter of gamers play multiuser games, which can increase social interaction which will hopefully ward off early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.  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.