Monterey, CA Tips For Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregivers When Adult Day Care Centers Are ClosedCare Centers Are Closed

A purple background with the alzheimer 's association logo.


The San Francisco Chronicle had a great column with advice for those caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia.  This can be a challenge with Adult Day Care Centers closed and little contact with the outside world. Recommendations from their experts include broadening your network to have a friend or family member help.  This can release stress on the caregiver while giving some social interaction to the person you are caring for.  In addition, try putting on some soothing music and get them outdoors.  Fresh air and sunlight are good for the soul.  Start out with a small walk, and increase it a bit every day.  If you need someone to talk to, try the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Association which is located in Ryan Ranch.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away, and Alzheimer’s Association was a great help.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/My-father-has-dementia-How-do-I-keep-him-engaged-15923039.php

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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


There were 133 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 40,237.  In the early stages of the pandemic, Monterey was faring much better than the rest of the country.  That’s not true anymore.  8.14% of the U.S. population has contracted COVID-19 versus 8.51% of Californians and 9.27% of Monterey County residents.  That translates to Monterey over-indexing the country by 5% and 9% of California.  The death rate, as a percentage of coronavirus diagnoses, now stands at 1.7%.  Nationwide, there were 119,014 new cases, for a total of 26.642 million.  Deaths rose by 5,206 (more than double the reported 2,198 from the day prior) to 453,965.  In California, there were 12,516 new cases for a total of 3.369 million, while deaths rose by 566 to 42,483.  Please stay home and stay safe.

COVID-19 Pandemic Has Marketers Chasing Seniors Staying At Home

A woman with grey hair sitting in a chair.


Retired baby boomers are at a high risk of COVID-19, and marketers are using this as an opportunity to market more to older people who want to stay at home.  Companies like Nestle SA, Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Danone SA are launching new products aimed at consumers who are increasingly saying they are interested in aging well, but staying at home.  “We clearly see healthy aging, even more now with the COVID world, as a huge trend,†Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber said.  The Activia yogurt maker recently launched a whey-protein product that they say aids muscles, joints and bones.  Nestle launched a powdered milk aimed at older adults that it claims enhances mobility.  Increasingly, the company has shifted its focus from making food and drink to aid the recovery of people in hospitals to helping people from being admitted in the first place.  What a great mission.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/older-shoppers-are-the-hot-new-thing-for-consumer-brands-11612002644

Monterey, CA Advanced Healthcare Planning, Polst, Will & Living Trust Workshop At CHOMP

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


Nobody likes to think about dying, but it is extremely important that you prepare for the inevitable by drawing up an Advanced Healthcare Directive, POLST, Living Trust and Will so that your wishes are carried out.  Join experts at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, on Monday, February 8 from 4-5:30 p.m. or on Tuesday, February 23, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Learn how to document your wishes, receive expert medical coaching and submit your documents.  To register, click here www.chomp.org/planning.

 

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A man wearing a mask with yellow warning tape around his mouth.


Nobody likes to think about dying, but it is extremely important that you prepare for the inevitable by drawing up an Advanced Healthcare Directive, POLST, Living Trust and Will so that your wishes are carried out.  Join experts at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, on Monday, February 8 from 4-5:30 p.m. or on Tuesday, February 23, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Learn how to document your wishes, receive expert medical coaching and submit your documents.  To register, click here www.chomp.org/planning.

Monterey, CA Anthony Hopkins Stars In Heartbreaking Film About Slipping Into Alzheimer’s & Dementia

A woman and an old lady smiling at each other.


Anthony Hopkins has the lead role in a film called “The Father†about a man who refused help as he slips deeper into Alzheimer’s disease.  The film brings viewers inside the mind of the patient, allowing filmgoers to get inside the head of someone with dementia.  “It can strike anyone at any moment,†notes Hopkins.  Although he is in his 80’s, he said he is loving this stage of life.  “The past five years have been extraordinarily lucky, and the best time my life,†he said. 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.

Singer Tony Bennett Has Had Alzheimer’s Disease For Five Years

A purple background with the alzheimer 's association logo.


AARP The Magazine revealed that Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease back in 2016 but it has not been revealed to the public until now because he wanted to continue to tour.  He has performed publicly as recently as 2019 and even has concert dates scheduled for later this year, with the first one starting in March.  I can see how he would want to continue performing as music does stimulate the brain.  There have been studies of Alzheimer’s patients showing that when music is played their brains really perk up.

https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/info-2021/tony-bennett-alzheimers.html

Carmel, CA Elder Abuse Alert


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.

Carmel, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available. CNA a plus!

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


Carmel,  CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia CNA Caregiver Jobs Available (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-Tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gilroy, Gonzalez, Greenfield, Hollister, King City, Marina, Monterey, Morgan Hill, Pacific Grove, Paicines, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, Salinas, San Juan Bautista, Seaside, Soledad and Tres Pinos

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 New Hope For Alzheimer’s Drug

A woman looking out of the window at her home.


The Food & Drug Administration FDA is taking another look at aducanumab, a potential new drug for treating Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.  The drug candidate will undergo an additional three months of review after a panel of experts in November recommended against approving the drug.  Biogen and Eisai partnered on the development of the drug and delivered new data to the FDA, triggering the prolonged review time.  An independent committee of experts had criticism of both the drug’s merits and the interpretation of data by FDA scientists.  Biogen said the data from one clinical trial showed a slowing in cognitive decline compared to study participants who received a placebo.  In the second clinical trial, the drug failed to show a benefit.  However, Biogen says it is likely because fewer patients received the higher dosage.  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.wsj.com/articles/fda-extends-review-of-biogen-eisais-alzheimers-drug-11611935425