Monterey, CA New Hope For Those With Pancreatic Cancer

A person holding hands with another person in bed.


We have a lot of good oncologists on the Monterey Peninsula but one of the cancers that is extremely difficult to treat is pancreatic.  It has a five-year survival rate of only 10%.  However, researchers are working on a new drug that shows promise.  USA Today profiled Barbara Brigham, who was almost resigned to dying after a 2020 pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  Her doctor encouraged her to join a clinical trial which was testing a new way to stimulate the immune system against cancer, and it worked!  She is now living free of cancer.  A gene called KRAS, mutated in many pancreatic tumors, could soon be “druggable,†says Providence Foundation oncologist Eric Tran.  And there are other drugs going through the clinical trial stages which look very promising.

Seniors Tend To Eat Less, Gain Weight As They Age : AARP Explains

A plate of food with eggs, bacon and tomatoes.


As people get into their 50’s and 60’s they tend to eat less.   However, it is still difficult to lose weight.  AARP’s new book, “The Whole Body Reset,†shows that protein is the secret to better health and more energy.  Starting at the age of 60 or so, our metabolic rate begins to drop at a rate of 0.7 percent per year.  And studies show that if seniors fail to get 25-30 grams of protein in the morning are likely to stay in muscle-loss mode all day.  The AARP book recommends that women eat 25 grams of protein in the morning (and men 30) and have at least one daily snack with at least 7 grams of protein.

How To Maximize Social Security Benefits

A jar of coins with the word retirement written on it.


Many people make the mistake of taking Social Security as soon as possible rather than their normal retirement age.  This can have a huge negative financial impact if you live a long life.  If you are in good health, most financial planners tell you to wait until you are 70 years old in order to maximize your benefits.  The Wall Street Journal regularly writes a report on various financial questions, one of the latest from a 64 year-old who was planning on waiting until she turned 68 before filing for Social Security.  However, she is thinking of taking it now because the huge cost-of-living (COLA) increase which will likely come next January.  Glenn Reffenach of the Journal wrote, “Not to worry.  Actually you already are qualifying for these adjustments.  The Social Security Administration on its website spells out how a person’s benefits are calculated and how COLAs, in specific, fit into that calculation.  Here’s the wording:

You are eligible for cost-of-living benefit increases starting with the year you turn age 62.  This is true even if you don’t get benefits until your full retirement age or age 70.â€

In essence, your Social Security benefit is recalculated each year even if you haven’t filed for benefits yet.

Marina, 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 nurse is helping an older man with his medical equipment.


Marina, 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 (Service Areas Are Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-Tierra, 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.

Monterey, CA Many Seniors Are Returning To The Workforce

A group of people giving thumbs up to the camera.


Many senior citizens are returning to the workforce due to spiraling inflation and the high cost of living on the Monterey Peninsula.  However, experts say that there are other ancillary benefits if you enjoy the work.  “Working longer is going to be a really powerful lever to increase the money available in retirement, because you’re not drawing down your savings and it gives you more of an opportunity to save, Anqui Chen of the Boston College Center for Retirement Research, told AARP Bulletin (June 2022 Issue, page 28).  The University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study (HRS) which has been tracking people over 50 years old for decades, found it “pretty strongly shows that continuing to work has benefits for cognitions,†Amanda Sonnega, associate research scientist at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, told AARP Bulletin.  A University of Maryland Study of more than 12,000 retirees found

Corral-de-tierra, 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 sitting on the couch


Corral-de-tierra, 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 (Service Areas Are Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-Tierra, 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.

It’s Important To Get Regular Health Checkups

A man in white lab coat and tie.


Many seniors, particularly men, don’t go to their primary physician for regular checks.  It’s likely due to a fear of them finding something wrong.  However, a study that was done in 2019 found that having 10 additional primary care doctors per 100K people increases a community’s average life expectancy by 51.5 days.  This is due to the fact that more doctor visits leads to more vaccinations and screening tests.  Medicare pays for a free annual wellness visit.

Negative Drug Interactions Can Happen Even With Over The Counter Drugs


Many people don’t realize it, but you can have a negative drug interaction even with over-the-counter drugs.  Ginkgo biloba and garlic can increase bleeding risks if you take anticlotting drugs.  And St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin and certain statins, channel blockers and digoxin (AARP Bulletin June Issue, page 22).  Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase side effects of many medications, including certain statins, blood pressure and heart-rhythm drugs, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Alcohol can increase drowsiness and raise the risks of overdoses when used with many drugs for anxiety, seizures or depression, according to the National Institutes of Health.  Talk to your doctor about these issues!

Obesity Is A Growing Problem In This Country

A person measuring their belly with a tape measure.


Obesity can lead to a number of health problems including diabetes, heart disease and strokes.  One issue that can easily be tackled is to stop drinking sugary beverages.  A 20-ounce bottle of cola contains 65 grams of sugar—five times as much as a typical glazed donut.  Even things that you think are healthy might be a bad choice.  Store-bought orange juice has as much sugar as soda!  Try switching to sparkling water with lemon or making your own iced tea.

Get Living Trust, Will, POLST And Power Of Attorneys In Place Immediately

A woman with grey hair sitting in a chair.


Based on a new survey done by AARP, our 60’s are a watershed decade when it comes to shifts in attitude regarding longevity, relationships, well-being and wealth.  At the same time, concerns about life expectancy dips, while worries about stamina, cognitive skills, diminishing eyesight and memory loss rises.  It’s not until people get into their 80’s that many people reported making necessary plans to help their families and medical team understand and carry out their end-of-life wishes, as well as planning for their assets, funeral and burial.  That seems like a long time to wait!  My suggestion is to get a living trust, will, POLST and medical and legal power of attorneys in place immediately.  You never know what the future will hold.