Long Term Care Providers And Policy Holders Suffering

A woman is hugging an older man


I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a Long Term Care or LTC Insurance Policy that only required payments for 15 years, something which I don’t even think exists anymore.  Actuaries underestimated how long people would live and, as a result, have been paying out more LTC claims than originally projected.  This has caused many LTC providers to pull out of the market completely, and others to raise rates dramatically.  AARP The Magazine (December 2022/January 2023 Issue, page 28) profiled Terry Koplan, a retired Los Angeles resident who bought a policy with an inflation-protected benefit, currently $270/day, for an unlimited time.  However, he was recently notified that his annual premium would triple in 2024 to $14,315.  The insurer offered him other options such as cancelling the policy and refunding one-quarter of past premiums.  “ I feel like I have been completely cheated,†Terry told AARP.

Cancer Death Rate Drops Dramatically

A woman with glasses and a tie dye shirt smoking.


The death rate from cancer dropped by one-third in the last three decades, according to The American Cancer Society.  They attributed the decline to changes in preventive measures and screening in the past decade.  Cervical cancer rates dropped by 65% between 2012 and 2019 among women in their 20’s after a generation of women were vaccinated against human papillomavirus, or HPV, for the first time.  The report, which was published in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, said that the decline in smoking rates, better early detection and innovative treatments have driven a drop in death rates since 1991.

Google Struggles In Healthcare Sector

A pyramid of food with people around it.


Google parent Alphabet Inc. is laying off more than 200 employees at its Verily Life Sciences healthcare unit, about 15% of its workforce.  The division will discontinue work on a medical-software program called Verily Value Suite, as well as a number of early-stage products.  Verily has largely been focused on applying data and technology to patient treatments, including a virtual diabetes clinic.

FDA On The Offensive Regarding New Alzheimer’s Drug

A woman sitting on the ground with another person.


The Food and Drug Administration’s Commissioner Robert Califf has defended the agency’s approval of the new Alzheimer’s drug called Aduhelm.  This follows an investigation by House Democrats which found close cooperation between the drug’s sponsors and regulators.  The findings were made by the Oversight and Reform Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee which found an unusual number of meetings between Biogen Inc. and the FDA.  The FDA also co-authored with the company a briefing document presented to outside advisors, which is very unusual.  Unfortunately, the drug was pulled off the market because Medicare refused to cover the expensive drug.

Mediterranean Diet Continues To Get Kudo’s

A table filled with lots of different foods.


It’s been known for years that following the “Mediterranean Diet†leads to better health and longevity.  The problem is, there is no direct diet for it, it is more of a lifestyle which U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the number one best diet for 2023 out of 24 diets analyzed.  This is the sixth straight year it has won top place.   The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, as well as seafood and lean poultry, with a focus on unsaturated fat from sources like extra virgin olive oil.  You should try to avoid red meat, whole fat dairy, sweets, processed meat and snack food, sugary drinks, butter and have a limited amount of alcohol.

Inflation Hitting Seniors Hard: Try Market Day At Alliance on Aging’s The HUB


Alliance on Aging has a great Farmer’s Market on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to noon at what they call “The HUB†at 236 Monterey Street in Salinas.  They have fresh affordable produce and you can meet new friends in your community.  Recent examples are avocados 2 for $1.00 and Roma Tomatoes 5 for $1.00.  For more information, go to www.allianceonaging.org/hub/.

Long Term Care Providers And Policy Holders Suffering

A woman is hugging an older man


I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a Long Term Care or LTC Insurance Policy that only required payments for 15 years, something which I don’t even think exists anymore.  Actuaries underestimated how long people would live and, as a result, have been paying out more LTC claims than originally projected.  This has caused many LTC providers to pull out of the market completely, and others to raise rates dramatically.  AARP The Magazine (December 2022/January 2023 Issue, page 28) profiled Terry Koplan, a retired Los Angeles resident who bought a policy with an inflation-protected benefit, currently $270/day, for an unlimited time.  However, he was recently notified that his annual premium would triple in 2024 to $14,315.  The insurer offered him other options such as cancelling the policy and refunding one-quarter of past premiums.  “ I feel like I have been completely cheated,†Terry told AARP.

GPS Trackers Debut That Can Be Attached To Anything

A group of people giving thumbs up to the camera.


Ever lose your keys or can’t find your purse?  Chipolo has introduced a product called Chipolo One Spot, which costs around $30.  It has a GPS or Bluetooth tracker that attach to pretty much anything and can be located via your cell phone.  When a Bluetooth trackers is in range, it communicates directly with your cell phone.  When out of range, the tracker relays its signal through other people’s compatible devices to show you its location.

A New Solution For Ankle, Arm, Knee or Wrist Pain

A nurse is caring for an elderly woman.


A new type of technology called HealthWear has infused medicines like capsaicin (nonivamide) into compression sleeves.  They give pain relief similar to what you would get by applying an ointment like Bengay, but without the mess and odor.  They can also cover a larger area than a pain-relief patch.  Called Nufabrx Health-Wear (less than $20 for each sleeve), this is a fairly new category but one which shows promise for those with chronic pain.

Carmel-by-the-sea, 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 is helping an older man with his shirt off.


Carmel-by-the-sea, 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 Highlands, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, 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.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.