Monterey, CA Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities To Face Minimum Staffing Standards

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The White House, some members of Congress and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are all pushing hard to pass nursing home reform legislation targeting “profiteering, cold-hearted†corporations who left many seniors vulnerable against COVID-19.  Many of them died.

“It is up to Congress…to shine a bright light on the current practice, to reign them in, and strictly enforce high standards for performance,†U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) wrote to the chair of the House Oversight Committee.  “It is Congress’s job to stand in-between greedy corporations and those who are the most defenseless,†he said.

Help appears to be on the way.  The White House is reportedly getting ready to use executive authority to tighten industry regulations.  The proposals include setting the first nationwide minimum staffing requirements and expanding regulatory authority to crack down on corporate owners with a poor track record.

Nursing Homes And Assisted Living Hit With COVID-19 Lawsuits

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Now that the pandemic seems to be calming down, a flurry of class action and individual lawsuits accusing nursing homes of not properly protecting its residents from COVID-19 have been filed.  The wrongful-death lawsuits have been spurred by a repeal of liability protections and statutory deadlines to file the suits.  Many nursing homes are claiming that the virus was beyond their control, with staffing shortages, inadequate testing supplies and a lack of masks and other personal protective equipment all contributing to the problem.  “It’s going to be a knock-down-drag-out battle,†said Steven Levin, a partner in Levin & Perconti and one of the many lawyers seeking damages for the families of those who died of COVID-19 while in a facility.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/nursing-homes-face-growing-number-of-lawsuits-from-covid-19-fallout-11649507400

 

Free COVID-19 Tests Rolling Out For Seniors On Medicare

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Millions of seniors on Medicare can get up to eight free coronavirus home tests each month from pharmacies at more than a dozen national and regional chain retailers.  This has been a long time coming but I will certainly keep my eyes peeled to see if these show up on the shelves.  Locations which are now committed, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are Albertsons, Costco, CVS, Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, H-E-B, Hy-Vee, Kroger Family, Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, Walgreens and Walmart.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/04/04/covid-tests-medicare-pharmacies-free/7265479001/

 

Hope Is On The Way For Insomniacs : Check Out These Sleep Apps

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COVID-19 made this year’s spring forward especially hard to get used to, say sleep experts.  Dr. Abhinav Sing, a physician at Indiana Sleep Center, says about 40% of people have experienced sleep problems, what he calls “coronosomnia,†during the pandemic.  To help get your sleep rhythm back on track, try these apps:

Casper Glow Light:

When you’re ready for bed, flip the light over to turn it on.  Depending on the time you’ve selected, the light will slowly fade over a period of between 15-90 minutes.

OneClock Analog Waking Clock:

This minimalist clock will gently nudge you awake in the morning.  Waking songs currently include atmospheric, invigorating pieces.

Somnox 2 Sleep Robot:

As you hold the 3-pound rechargeable jelly bean to your chest like a teddy bear, it’s soft in-and-out movement and sounds are designed to encourage deeper breathing.

Wesper Sleep Kit:

After sleeping for at least three nights with patches stuck to your chest and stomach, you schedule an initial video consult with a sleep specialist, who will analyze the results and come up with potential solutions.

Dodow Sleep Aid:

This 3 inch device uses a pulsating light to coach your breathing at night.  Tap the top as you climb back into bed, and the battery-operated device projects a blue circle onto your ceiling.  You inhale when it expands and exhale when it retracts, which helps control your heart rate and help you fall asleep quickly.

 

Yet Another Deadly COVID-19 Variant Is On The Way

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A new variant of COVID-19 has emerged in the United Kindom, and this one could be a doozy.  It combines two different omicron strains and has been called the XE variant.  According to data from the British Public Health Officials at the World Health Organization, this could be the fastest-spreading COVID variant yet.  It has not been discovered in the United States yet, however, it has been detected in Cina and Thailand.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2022/04/05/heres-what-we-know-about-omicron-xe—the-new-covid-variant-found-in-the-uk/?sh=241c0f4b2a8c&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailydozen&utm_content=uaddsubscribe&cdlcid=607e1442fe2c195e916f3bb4

Take Advantage of AARP Senior Discounts

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AARP offers a vast array of discounts with membership, including:

15% off at Denny’s

10% off at Outback Steakhouse

10% off at McCormick & Schmick’s

5% off UPS shipping and 20% off online printing at the UPS store

Go to www/aarp.org/ourbenefits for a full list

AARP Tips For Those With A Diabetes Diagnosis

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Getting a diabetes diagnosis can be very frightening, but with the right healthy living changes, you can still lead a normal life.  Read this AARP Article, which explains their seven recommendations for dealing with the disease including:

Losing weight

Watering down blood sugar

Exercise snacking

Muscling up with protein

Get vaccinated against COVID-19

Don’t focus on sugar

Let the meds come as needed.

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/tips-for-managing-diabetes.html

 

CarmelValley, 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

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CarmelValley, 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, Castroville, Corral-de-tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, 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.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.

Cost Of Insulin May Soon Be Capped By Law : Great News For Diabetics!

A blood glucose level chart showing the optimal levels.


The cost of prescription drugs has gotten so out of hand that regulators and legislators are having to step in and try to remedy the situation.  The latest effort comes from the House of Representatives, which recently passed a bill which would cap the cost of insulin.  The bill, which passed by a vote of 232-193 would cap the cost of insulin for both those on Medicare and those with private insurance at just $35 per month.  A similar bill passed the House last year but died in the Senate.  Democratic legislators are hoping to work out a compromise with Republicans to get it passed in the Senate.

 

Monterey, CA Many Retirees Not Prepared For A Financial Shock

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A new study which was published by the Society of Actuaries Research Institute’s Aging and Retirement Strategic Research Program found that many retirees and pre-retirees aren’t prepared for a financial shock, and the likelihood of that happening is increasing.  Many economists are saying that the odds are increasing that we will soon enter a recession, and Russia’s attack on Ukraine is likely to wreak havoc on the stock market.  According to the study, about half of pre-retirees report that they already experienced a financial shock, along with 4 in 10 retirees.  These shocks have reduced the assets of pre-retirees by 25% or more and their spending by 10% or more.  Experts urge retirees to build a reserve fund.  Half of pre-retirees could only afford to spend $10K or less on an emergency while retirees reported they could afford no more than $25K.  There are plenty of great financial advisors on the Monterey Peninsula and you should consult with one yearly.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2022/03/25/retirement-prepare-sudden-financial-hardship/7157673001/