Need help? Call us today: 
831.275.0103
Home / Blog
Blog
There were 77 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,841 cases, with two new deaths reported. Nationally, the number of cases were up by 98,513 for a total of 29.1 million and deaths rose by 815 to 527K. The number of cases are on the rise again so please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.
The New Yorker had a sad article about a Brooklyn retirement home which featured twelve of the country’s 3 million L.G.B.T. seniors, many of whom fear going back into the close as they enter assisted living or senior communities. 34% of those surveyed fear having to hide their sexuality when entering a retirement facility, but a national chain called Watermark is trying to change that. It is pursuing a platinum accreditation from SAGE, an organization that serves L.G.B.T. seniors. This is a sad story which, hopefully, will have a happy ending eventually.
Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, seems similar to Alzheimer’s disease but attacking the body rather the brain. There is no cure for either disease, and the ailment just continues to progress and leave you more and more debilitated. However, USA Today recently ran an article about three promising themes:
Many are hopeful that Amylyx’s AMX0035 which got a $2.2 million grant from the $111 million Ice Bucket Challenge, will be approved by the FDA. Findings for AMX0035’s Phase 2 trial were so promising that the ALS community is pushing the FDA to fast track approval. They have gone so far as to ask the FDA to skip a Phase 3 trial, the only time in history that the ALS Association has asked the FDA to do so. However, it’s a long-shot. If you or a loved one are struggling with ALS, contact the Monterey Chapter of ALS here:
http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=14647&NONCE_TOKEN=D30086CF168CADF46857EB53C986C9EA
Carmel-by-the-sea,  CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-Tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, 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.
Centenarians, those living to be over 100 years old, are one of the fastest growing demographic groups in the United States. The number stands at 92K, with most of them women. This demographic has expanded by 44% since 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 40 years people in this demo will be 6x higher than today. Genetics plays a big part in how long you live. A Boston University School of Medicine study found that genetic markets accounted for 61% accuracy in predicting who lives to be 100. However, Dr. Thomas Perls from Boston University School of Medicine said it’s like winning the lottery—only one in 5,000 people will make it to be 100. The lucky ones planned financially for a long life, but many people don’t consider this long of a life a possibility when making their retirement plans. Longevity planning is becoming a new vocation. It combines conventional financial techniques with life planning. In addition to your genetics, however, lifestyle can play a big part. Staying socially and mentally vibrant are key. If you retire from work, you should take up some volunteer efforts to keep your mind active, say experts.
There were only 31 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,404 cases, with no new deaths reported. Nationally, the number of cases were up by 65,682 for a total of 28.9 million and deaths rose by 2,483 to 523K. In California, we are now at almost 3.6 million cases and 54K deaths. The number of cases are declining but please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.
There is growing interest to shift hospital services into patients’ homes, a movement that started even prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. Startups are providing technology to bring medical services into the home and well-known Venture Capital companies are backing them. Hospitals are finding that some common illnesses like urinary-tract infections can be effectively treated at home. This is a very common ailment for seniors and it would be great to see them recover from this at home. Hospital-at-home care hasn’t taken off in large part due to the fact that insurance companies haven’t covered it. However, many are trying to convince Medicare and private insurance companies with data published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showing home hospitalization reduced costs, healthcare use and readmissions, while increasing physical activity compared with typical hospital care. In addition, Medicare recently introduced a new program whereby hospitals can be reimbursed for home care they provide to patients during the pandemic.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/crop-of-startups-move-hospital-care-into-the-home-11614853803
Join the Alzheimer’s Association on Sunday, March 7 for a webinar on the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on South Asians at 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. PST. This two-hour session will highlight the latest in Alzheimer’s research, ways to reduce your risk, as well as cultural implications. The key topic will be : The Science Behind Alzheimer’s Dementia Care in India, Healthy Living for Your Body and Brain.  To register, call 1-800-272-3900.
There were only 19 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,335 cases, with no new deaths reported. Nationally, the number of cases were up by 57,789 for a total of 28.758 million and deaths rose by 2,638 to 518K. In California, there were 5,730 new cases, for a cume total of 3.580 million. There were 351 new deaths, for a total of 52,899. Please stay home and stay safe.
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.