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Join Dr. Heather Snyder, VP Medical and Scientific Relations, and Dr. Claire Sexton, Director of Scientific Programs & Outreach, for an Alzheimer’s Association Webinar to learn about the latest developments in Alzheimer’s and dementia science. The talk will be on Tuesday May 4 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. To register, click on the link below. You will then receive a zoom link on May 4.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuC2yu4zSZL4YC32PMfzrUaVgerrl_lgZJJusFrojuoMJJFg/viewform
Monterey, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) CNA Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-Tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, Salinas, Seaside and Soledad
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.
A treatment where surgeons implant a tiny device in the retinas of patients which contain stem cells looks extremely promising for those with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although it has only been done with 15 patients, many participants have passed the one-year mark with improving vision. One woman who had the treatment said, “Shortly after the surgery, I turned to my husband while we were watching TV and said, ‘I can see all of their faces!’â€Â Doctors say FDA approval is about five years away. To see local specialists in macular degeneration, see links below.
https://news.usc.edu/trojan-family/stem-cell-therapy-macular-degeneration-usc-clinical-trial/
https://www.montereyeye.com/our-services/retinal-care
https://www.peninsulaeyecarecenters.com/low-vision.html
The Alzheimer’s Association, always a good organization to get tips from when dealing with a loved one who has dementia, recently released a report about how important having a comprehensives safety plan becomes as the disease progresses. Please click on the link below to get advice on the following topics:
Wandering;
Home Safety;
Dementia & Driving;
Medication Safety;
24/7 Wandering Support for a Safe Return;
Technology 101;
Travelling;
Preparing For Emergencies; and
Abuse
Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away. There are great people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.
A study which was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring found a correlation between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The study’s author explained that the mouth is home to both harmful bacteria that promote inflammation and healthy proactive bacterial. Researchers found that people who have more harmful than healthy gum bacteria were more likely to also have a protein market for Alzheimer’s disease, known as amyloid beta, in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). About 70% of seniors aged 65 and older have gum disease.
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
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 s have Diabetes or pre-Diabetes!
https://communityhealthinnovations.org/what-we-do/diabetes-prevention-management/
There were 65 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 46.366 cases, with 16 new deaths reported for a total of 380. If you haven’t gotten your first dose of the vaccine yet, Montage Health in Marina (2920 2nd Avenue) are now doing walk-tin vaccinations. The schedule is as follows: Monday April 26 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. for Pfizer, Tuesday, April 27 1:00 to 3:30 for Moderna, Wednesday, April 28 noon to 8:00 p.m. for Moderna, and Thursday April 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Pfizer. If you want to make an appointment, go to www.myturn.ca.gov or call Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital at 771-3385. Nationwide, cases rose by 61,931 for a cume total of 31.890 million. Deaths rose by 1,744 to 569,875. California has the lowest coronavirus case rate per capita in the nation now! Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.
Active Seniors Inc., the senior center on Hawthorne Street has reopened! “It’s wonderful people come in and they have the biggest smiles on their faces, it’s so good to see them and everybody wants to hug, we usually do that here so we’re fist bumping and elbow bumping, it feels wonderful to me to be here,†said Karen Towle, a member and volunteer. The center serves more than 600 people with classes focusing on the mind and body. Most of their classes have been sold out so call and make a reservation!
The Wall Street Journal recently ran a heart breaking story about two women, Abbe Merling and Judy Roder, who have been close friends for 30 years and now have had to revamp their relationship after Judy was diagnosed with dementia eight years ago. Since then, Abbe has been by her side, taking her on roadtrips, weekend retreats and events at their temple. More than 6 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease, and many have to watch as their friends abandon them, unable to cope with the change in behavior of the one diagnosed with this disease. That’s sad, as a 2019 study found that those with Alzheimer’s disease that have a close circle of friends have better cognition. Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away. There are great people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-importance-of-friendship-for-alzheimers-patients-11618846255