Alarming Number of Heart Attacks At An Early Age

A stethoscope and heart on the table.


AARP Bulletin (January/February 2023 Issue, page 9) had an alarming story about the growing number of people in their 50’s who are having a major heart attack.  The article profiled Lori Kubitz who, at the age of 54 did not smoke and was not overweight, woke at 4:00 a.m. as she was having a massive heart attack.  “We’re looking at a crisis in terms of lowering life expectancy for the first time in decades,†Dr. Sadiya Khan, a cardiologist, told AARP Bulletin.  A 2022 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists heart disease, along with the opiod crisis and COVID, as key drivers for a higher death rate.  Death rates for those being middle-aged from 45 to 64 from heart disease have risen by 8.5% between 2010 to 2020, according to Kaiser Permanente.

Salinas, CA Seniors Should Check Out Alliance On Aging Farmer’s Market

A table filled with lots of different foods.


If you haven’t already, check out “Market Day†at Alliance on Aging’s headquarters in Salinas called “The Hub†at 236 Monterey Street which occurs the second and 4th Thursday of every month.  Get fresh and affordable quality produce.  Recent examples of deals include organic broccoli for $1, organic cauliflower for $1.25 and green onions for only $0.25 per bunch!

For more information go to www.allianceonaging.org/hub/

Assisted Living Facilities Being Called Out For Giving Seniors “Chemical Straightjacket Drugs”

A group of people sitting around a table.


The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General recently noted that nursing homes and assisted living facilities are being closely monitored after they found that 8 in 10 residents (about 1 million) were being given psychiatric drugs which were deemed “chemical straightjacket drugs.â€Â  I am, unfortunately, all too familiar with this type of behavior.  I took care of my grandmother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, from the age of 92-98.  When it got too stressful, I took a vacation to France and had her stay in a rehab facility for three weeks while I was away.  I got a call from the rehab facility and they asked for my permission to put her in restraints because she was not being cooperative.  I said absolutely not, she is just reacting to being in an unfamiliar setting.  Unfortunately, facilities are understaffed and would prefer to sedate seniors instead of giving them the respect that they deserve.

Pacific Grove, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA or HHA Designation A Plus

A woman and an older person smiling at each other.


Pacific Grove, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available : Set Your Own Hours: $2/Hour Extra On The Weekends CNA or HHA Designation A Plus (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea,Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, Salinas, Seaside & Soledad

We have developed a reputation for having the best caregivers (Home Care Aides or Senior Companions) in Monterey County over the past decade and have recently expanded into Santa Cruz County.   We are currently looking for qualified caregivers.

Family inHome Caregiving of Monterey and Santa Cruz 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.familyinhomecaregiving.com, click on careers where you can fill out an application online or go to https://tsc221.ersp.biz/index.cfm?event=Apply.index

We have immediate openings all over Monterey County.

Join Alliance On Aging’s Healthy Cooking Class On March 24

A table filled with lots of different foods.


Join Chef Gundega on March 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for a cooking/nutrition class called “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body at Alliance on Aging’s headquarters in Salinas called “The Hub†at 236 Monterey Street.  Discover how products used daily like chamomile can benefit your health.  Come and join the class and take home recipes that will help you increase the quality of your life.  To register, call 646-4931 or 646-5050 (bus passes and taxi vouchers are available if transportation is an issue).

For more information go to www.allianceonaging.org/hub/

Getting On Social Security Disability Getting More Challenging

A man helping an elderly person in a wheelchair get into the back of a car.


It has always been a struggle to get a full blown disability insurance claim approved.  However, in recent years it has gotten even more challenging due to a staffing shortage at the Social Security Administration.  According to an analysis done by the AARP’s government affairs staff, it can take more than 1.5 years go get in and have your disability claim heard.  This is the worst response rate of any government agency, according to the Government Accountability Offices, or GAO, 10K people each year die while waiting to hear back on their claim status from the GAO.

Join Alliance On Aging’s Healthy Cooking Class On March 24

A table filled with lots of different foods.


Join Chef Gundega on March 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for a cooking/nutrition class called “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body at Alliance on Aging’s headquarters in Salinas called “The Hub†at 236 Monterey Street.  Discover how products used daily like chamomile can benefit your health.  Come and join the class and take home recipes that will help you increase the quality of your life.  To register, call 646-4931 or 646-5050 (bus passes and taxi vouchers are available if transportation is an issue).

For more information go to www.allianceonagin.org/hub/

Salinas Valley Memorial Becomes Salinas Valley Health

A doctor and patient looking at a book


A Salinas hospital which has served the community well over decades has decided to change its name.  Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System has announced that it has changed its name to Salinas Valley Health.  The 263-bed hospital employs more than 2,000 people.  ““We are extraordinarily proud of the legacy and impact our organization has had in our community,†said Pete Delgado, president/CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “As we rise to meet the promise of an even brighter future, Salinas Valley Health is celebrating the connection between community health and individual well-being. We’re rising together in good health.â€

Carmel, CA Medicare News : Pharmaceutical Companies Facing Financial Penalties

A building with the capitol in the background.


The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced on Wednesday that 27 drugs had large price hikes like the rheumatoid-arthritis treatment Humira from AbbVie.  These drug companies will all face price-increase penalties from the government.  The money taken back will go into the hospital Medicare Trust Fund, which is facing a shortfall.

Monterey, CA Diabetic Alert : Prices To Come Down

A blood glucose level chart showing the optimal levels.


Sanofi SA announced it would be cutting insulin products by as much as 78% in the U.S., following the lead of other major pharmaceutical companies which are lowering prices at the behest of the Biden administration.  Sanofi said that it would cap a Lantus patient’s monthly out-of-pocket cost at just $35.  “No one should struggle to pay for their insulin,†Olivier Bogillot, Sanofi’s head of U.S. general medicines, told The Wall Street Journal.