More and more seniors are turning to Telehealth programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “When you’re not feeling well, having to get up, get dressed and drive all the way to the hospital and then get in line and then possibly get sick from someone else is not all that appealing,” Marla Jo Fisher, a writer, told AARP Bulletin (November 2020, page 44). Medicare is expanding coverage of telehealth visits during the pandemic, changes which hopefully will remain in place. The Department of Health and Human Services recently reported that less than 1% of primary care visits in February were via Telehealth, a number which jumped to 43.5% in April. California has a bill going into effect on January 1 requiring all insurers to pay for Telehealth visits. If your doctor isn’t using Telehealth, talk to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, on suggestions.
Social Security Benefits To Rise 1.3% In 2021
The cost of living increase (COLA) for seniors and others receiving Social Security will rise only 1.3% in 2021, down from the 1.6% increase in 2020. This works out to an average of $20/month for those receiving the benefit. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets the increase based on the Labor Department’s consumer-price-index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, also known as the CPI-W.
Monterey, CA Aging At Home Is Now In Vogue : Assisted Living On The Outs
COVID-19 has made aging at home in vogue. The Wall Street Journal recently wrote an article on how coronavirus is changing the way Americans face retirement by “accelerating developments already under way,” physician Bill Thomas said to the reporter. “It’s going to make people rethink retirement altogether,” Laura Carstensen, director of Stanford University’s Center on Longevity said. Most people will age at home, and remain independent, she said. I believe that her view is true. With roughly 40% of COVID-19 being staff and residents of nursing homes, nobody wants to go into a facility these days. We have been getting a number of calls from fearful children who want to get their parents out of assisted living and back home, where they can reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure. Although COVID-19 will eventually be wiped out, there will clearly be more devastating diseases in the future which makes these facilities dangerous.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-covid-19-will-change-aging-and-retirement-11605452401
Monterey, CA Senior Diabetics Take Note : Sleep Habits Can Alter Your Circadian Rhythms
Getting a good night’s rest is important to seniors, however, sleeping a consistent number of hours is important as well. A review of studies which was published in Endocrine Review found that a sleep shift of even an hour was enough to decrease insulin sensitivity. To get more helpful tips on diabetes, visit Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP’s, Diabetes and Nutrition website. You will find useful information about support groups, classes and more.
https://www.chomp.org/locations/location-profile/diabetes-and-nutrition-therapy/#.X9F3p9hKjcs
Another useful resource is Community Health Innovations. A full 45% of Monterey County residents have Diabetes or pre-Diabetes!
https://communityhealthinnovations.org/what-we-do/diabetes-prevention-management/
Moss Landing, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available
Moss Landing, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-Tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gilroy, Gonzales, Greenfield, Hollister, King City, Marina, Monterey, Morgan Hill, Pacific Grove, Pacific Grove, Paicines, 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 Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver : 30K+ New Cases In California Three Days Running
There were 167 new coronavirus cases detected in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 17,546. There was one new death reported. I am hearing the nursing home outbreaks locally are accelerating. About a quarter of the U.S. deaths from COVID-19 have been nursing home residents and caregivers. One in five residents who contract coronavirus in a facility die from it. Frankly, I thought this statistic would be higher. Nationwide, there were a whopping 281K new cases, bringing the total to more than 16 million, while deaths jumped by 2,462 leaving the total at 296,824 to date. In California, the numbers were equally depressing with 37,467 new cases bringing the total up to 1.534 million while deaths rose by 206 to 20,861. These numbers just keep getting bigger, please obey the stay-at-home order unless you are an essential worker and don’t travel unless it is absolutely urgent.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/09/covid-19-us-nursing-homes-vaccines-coronavirus/6413672002/
New Study Finds Older People Happier Than Younger People, Even During COVID-19 Pandemic
A new study out of Stanford University found that older people are happier than younger people, even during the pandemic. The researchers surveyed roughly 1,00 people from 18-74 years old and ask them how often and how intensely they had felt 29 different emotions during the past week. Older people admitted they were more at risk of getting COVID-19 than younger people, but surprisingly they also reported feeling more positive emotions than negative emotions than young people did. One of the researchers suggests that when there is less time ahead of us, we focus on the good things. As the phrase goes, life is short.
Pacific Grove, CA Elder Abuse Alert From Citibank
Citibank is alerting cardholders that someone has implemented a phishing scam which involves the crooks to obtain information to allow them to access your account. Unfortunately, they are doing an all-out attack, contacting people by email, text and phone and impersonating a Citibank employee. The bank has committed to never ask for your account number, security word, PIN number, checking account number and other sensitive information. Be on the alert!
Salinas, CA Congratulations To Local Centenarian Ruth Andresen, Who Just Turned 100
Congratulations to Ruth Andresen, a local woman who moved to Salinas almost 70 years ago. She sat outside of her house, waving as well wishers drove by and waved. Friends and family, the Women’s Club and the non-profit Active Seniors all helped to get the birthday celebration in high gear. Signs adorned her front yard with one saying “You make 100 look fabulous.”
Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver 33K New Cases In California Two Days Running
There were 222 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County, bringing the total up to 17,379. There were five new hospitalizations and five more deaths. Nationwide, there were a hefty 241K new cases, bringing the total to 15.816 million, while deaths soared to 3,338 leaving the total at 294,362 to date. In California, the numbers were equally bleak with 33,269 new cases bringing the total up to 1.496 million while deaths rose by 178 to 20,655. These numbers are huge, please obey the stay-at-home order unless you are an essential worker and don’t travel unless it is absolutely urgent.