Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of many viruses on a red background


There were 170 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 41,246 and two new deaths were reported.  Nationwide, after three days straight with new cases totaling less than 100K, 105,600 were reported today.  That makes a total of 27.393 million.  Deaths rose by 1,541 to 476,516.  In California, there were 7,603 new cases for a total of 3.463 million, while deaths rose by 378 to 41,276.  Unfortunately, a new study by Lancet Commission said that 40% of deaths in the U.S. could have been prevented if we would have taken stronger measures to combat it.  Please stay home and stay safe.

Make Sure You Get Enough Vitamin D

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AARP The Magazine recently published an article about the fact that most seniors don’t get enough Vitamin D.  With COVID-19 keeping people indoors more, this is becoming more of a problem.  The article said that more than half of Americans might be Vitamin D deficient.  If you can’t get outside, try foods like fatty fish (salmon, trout and mackerel) and Portobello mushrooms.  Fortified milk is also a good source.  If none of this works for you, get some supplements!

AARP Tele-Town Halls : Listen To The Experts

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AARP has lined up a number of expert speakers for its town halls.  Hear directly from health experts  on important health, financial health, emotional well-being and how to care for an infirm parent.  “Our intention is to host these events on a regular basis to respond to changing needs during this pandemic,†AARP Senior Vice President Jean Setfand, told AARP The Magazine (August/September Issue, page 76).  An average event attracts between 75K and 100K people.  For a schedule of upcoming tele-town halls, including topics, speakers, and instruction on how to log in, go to www.aarp.org/townhall where you can also listen to past events. 

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were 105 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 41,076 and seven new deaths were reported.  On the good news side, last week the county confirmed a total of 867 new cases of the virus among local residences, a decline of 78.6%  from the 4,043 reported the week prior.  Nationwide, the number of cases are still going down.  There with less than 100K new cases, for a total of 27.287 million.  Deaths rose by 3,878 to 471,097 million.  In California, there were 10,156 new cases for a total of 3.455 million, while deaths rose by 504 to 45,736.  Please stay home and stay safe.

Think Twice Before Taking Early Social Security

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


Many people take Social Security at the earliest possible time rather than waiting until their official retirement age, which can cost them over $100K over the remainder of their lifetime.  Recessions and a jump in early Social Security claims go hand-in-hand, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.  According to Chicago’s Becker Friedman Institute, there’s been a 7% increase in the number of Americans who retired after the pandemic.  Edgar Freeberg, 66, said he had planned on waiting until he was 70 to claim Social Security.  “I was going for the 70 thing,†he told USA Today.  But after his job was outsourced, he felt he had no other choice.  Statistics show that filing at age 62 the average household loses out on about $111,000 in lifetime benefits.  Here in Monterey, Social Security payments top the national average by a high margin in the wealthier pockets like Carmel and Pebble Beach.  But if you are not on the high end of the wage earning spectrum, it may pay to wait to file.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/09/29/social-security-took-checks-early-because-covid-you-get-do-over/3567304001/

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver : Alzheimer’s & Dementia Huge Risk Factors

A purple square with the words " the end of alzheimer 's starts with me ".


There were 63 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 40,971 and three new deaths were reported.  Nationwide, the number of cases are going down.  There were less than 100K new cases, for a total of 27.193 million.  Deaths rose by 4,472 to 471,97.  However, new research found that, sadly, those with dementia are more likely to be hospitalized than people who are the same age without dementia.  The analysis of nearly 62 million electronic medical records in the U.S. also found that Black people with dementia were at very high risk of getting COVID-19.  Researchers said that the data could not be explained entirely by common characteristics common to people with dementia (old age, living in a nursing home and having conditions like obesity asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease).  Taking into account those risk factors, those with dementia were still twice as likely to get coronavirus than their counterparts at the same age without dementia.  In California, there were a hefty 11,853 new cases (less than half of the prior day’s total of 26,660) for a total of 3.446 million, while deaths rose by 700 to 45,232.  Please stay home and stay safe.

Please visit us at www.familyinhomecaregiving.com

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/health/covid-dementia-risk.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20210209&instance_id=26954&nl=the-morning&regi_id=105425463&segment_id=51349&te=1&user_id=0fafdefaa53c0a82473acdaa719a0aac

Monterey, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Customer Service Scams

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AARP Bulletin had an elder abuse alert for our area.  The article profiled a 75-year old man who saw a charge on his credit card that he didn’t recognize for Amazon Prime.  He did a google search for Amazon’s phone number and called the number, which turned out to be fake.  They asked him to confirm his credit card number, as well as his Social Security number.  “Scammers will buy and place fake ads that often elude the filters for the online search engines,†Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser told AARP Bulletin.  They also tricked him into buying gift cards.  “When people are searching for customer service numbers, they are in a hurry and quickly scan for the first phone number they see,†he said.  Scammers are targeting Monterey County, and in particular rich pockets like Carmel-by-the-sea and Pebble Beach.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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


There were 376 new COVID-19 cases announced for Monterey County, bringing the total up to 40,908 and two new deaths.  Nationwide, the number of cases are going down.  There were 92,739 new cases, for a total of 27.096 million.  Deaths rose by 4,006 to 466,625.  In California, there were a hefty 26,660 new cases for a total of 3.433 million, while deaths rose by 544 to 40,908.  Please stay home and stay safe.

 

Monterey, CA Join CHOMP’s Exercise Smart For Diabetes Management Class

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP, has a number of helpful classes, with one focusing on how to exercise to keep your Diabetes under control.  Learn how exercise can aid in diabetes management and get tips for safe, effective exercise.  The information you receive will include an overview of diabetes and special considerations for exercise for those with diabetes.  To register, go to www.chomp.org/classes.

Carmel, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Customer Service Scams

An older woman holding a pink string in her hand.


AARP Bulletin had an elder abuse alert for our area.  The article profiled a 75-year old man who saw a charge on his credit card that he didn’t recognize for Amazon Prime.  He did a google search for Amazon’s phone number and called the number, which turned out to be fake.  They asked him to confirm his credit card number, as well as his Social Security number.  “Scammers will buy and place fake ads that often elude the filters for the online search engines,†Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser told AARP Bulletin.  They also tricked him into buying gift cards.  “When people are searching for customer service numbers, they are in a hurry and quickly scan for the first phone number they see,†he said.