Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of many viruses on a red background


There were 187 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 39,040 with 4 more deaths.  Nationwide, there were 165,264 new cases, bringing the total up to 25.9 million, while deaths rose by 3,867 to 434,783.  COVID-19 is now the number one cause of death in the United States with more than 3,000 people dying at 3,000 a day, nearly 50% higher than the second leading cause of death.  In California, there were 17,576 new cases for a cume total of 3.3 million, while deaths rose by 587 (+2%) to 39,597.  These numbers are still high, please stay home and stay safe.

Please visit us at www.familyinhomecaregiving.com

https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/covid-19-is-the-number-one-cause-of-death-in-the-u-s-in-early-2021/?utm_campaign=KFF-2021-The-Latest&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=108720002&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_dVeqsspNjnWT5DGvnEqC00sB3ktTKTf_Nzm5AWtmnfRvS9tlYW81CadytPYmEefF7q-7Q3zxqDOVyetPX8KRYer1xxw&utm_content=108720002&utm_source=hs_email

Pacific Grove, 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.

Pebble Beach, CA Seniors Need A Solid Exercise Routine

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


At Family inHome Caregiving we emphasize to our clients the importance of a healthy diet, the proper amount of social interaction—difficult during the pandemic—and the right amount of exercise.  Most seniors put walking into their routine but experts say they need to add strength training.  As you age, loss of muscle strength and power leads to declining activity, increased frailty and functional dependence, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.  Resistance training is an easy way to add strength training to a daily regimen.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that seniors participate in activities at least two weeks that strengthen muscles along with a minimum of 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking.

 

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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


There were279 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 38,713 with 13 more people in the hospital and 13 more deaths.  Nationwide, there were 151,616 new cases for a total of 25.5 million, while deaths rose by 4,023 to 427,215.  In California, there were 21,784 new cases for a cume total of 3.2 million, while deaths rose by 738 (+2%) to 38,295.  These numbers are depressing, please stay home and stay safe.

Monterey, CA Guide To Social Security Survivor’s Benefits

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


After the death of a loved one, it can be difficult to deal with bills, insurance, and Social Security.  Of the 5.7 million people awarded Social Security benefits in 2019, 886K were survivors of deceased workers.  In total there were 3.9 million widows and widowers receiving benefits in 2019.  You should report to the Monterey County Social Security office when a spouse dies.  Their number is 1-800-772-1213.  Unfortunately, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online.  The calculation is that if your deceased spouse was taking Social Security, your benefit will be the greater of your benefit or your spouse’s benefit.  If you are not yet collecting Social Security and you’re at least 60, the best way to maximize your benefits are to collect the survivors benefit at your current age and then switch to retirement benefits starting at age 70.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2021/01/20/social-security-covid-understanding-how-survivors-benefits-work/4221795001/

Monterey, CA Radiation Therapy To Reprogram Deadly Heart Arrhythmias

A stethoscope and heart on the table.


Those with a fast and abnormal heart rate, a condition called ventricular tachycardia (VT) now have a new option.  Researchers at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in tandem with Washington University School of Medicine have used radiation to repair damaged heart tissue, although it’s still an experimental procedure so insurance may or may not cover it.  The procedure is noninvasive, and doctors have now performed in on a number of people.  For more information, contact the Tyler Heart Institute at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula or CHOMP.

https://www.templehealth.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/2020-oct-nov-medical-breakthroughs-aarp-magazine.pdf

https://www.chomp.org/services/cardiac-care/#.YBIW9uhKjcs

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were 1,149 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County for the last two days, bringing the total up to 38,434 with 13 more people in the hospital and two new deaths.  Nationwide, there were 155,677 new cases for a total of 25.4 million, while deaths rose by 2,971 to 423,192.  In California, there were 15,434 cases for a cume total of 3.2 million, while deaths rose by 208 to 37,557.  These numbers are stark, please stay home and stay safe.

Pebble Beach, CA Elder Abuse Alert

A pile of money sitting next to stacks of cash.


There is no end to the number of scams being tried on seniors, particularly in the area of coronavirus.  The isolation from COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem, and a new report from the Federal Trade Commission said that scammers initiated contact with older adults online more often than they did by phone for the first time ever in the second quarter of 2020.  Adults 60+ were nearly 6x as likely as younger adults to lose money on tech support scams.  Those in Carmel and Pebble Beach are targeted more than other areas because of the wealth in this area.  If you think you have been scammed, call the National Elder Fraud hotline at 833-372-8311 and report it to the FTC by visiting the agency’s website or calling 877-382-4357.  It also wouldn’t hurt to call Monterey County Adult Protective Services at 1-800-510-2020 if you think other local residents could be targeted.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-protect-seniors-from-online-fraud-and-phone-scams-11611410401?mod=djem10point

Monterey, CA Searching For A Cancer Cure

A person holding a stethoscope in their hand.


Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green has emerged from relative obscurity with a potential cure for cancer.  She is the first doctor to cure cancer in mice by using laser-activated nanoparticles.  A study published by the American Cancer Society estimated 607K people died from cancer in 2020.  Dr. Green’s cure does not require chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.  Following the successful initial research project, she has received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to expand the nanoparticle cancer treatment research.  She is fulfilling a lifelong dream after the death of her aunt Ora Lea, and her uncle, General Lee Smith, who both had cancer.  If you or a loved one are struggling with a cancer diagnosis, talk to someone at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.  CHOMP has a 24,000 square foot Comprehensive Cancer Support Center with a research library, information on clinical trials and support groups.

https://www.ibtimes.sg/meet-dr-hadiyah-nicole-green-first-cure-cancer-successfully-affordable-cost-39932

https://www.chomp.org/services/cancer-center/#.YA9kk-hKjcs

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of some blue and yellow cells


There were 516 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 36,906 with no new deaths.  Nationwide, there were 208,088 new cases for a total of 25.1 million, while deaths rose by 2,687 to 418,373.  In our state, there were 20,263 cases for a cume total of 3.167 million, while deaths rose by 516 to 36,906.  These numbers are stark, please stay home and stay safe.