Pacific Grove, CA In Home Dialysis Expands Under Medicare

A person holding a stethoscope in their hand.


Senior citizens with kidney problems will have an option of in-home dialysis care covered by Medicare.  About 1 in 3 Medicare patients that are struggling with end-stage renal disease will be enrolled in the new program.  In addition to being more convenient, it will reduce the risk of being exposed to people with COVID-19.  Medicare also announced that it will increase the amount it pays provider of home kidney treatments to help gain traction with the program.  About 92,000 Americans are currently on the kidney transplant list.  For more information, talk to one of our local dialysis centers in Monterey County which are listed here:

https://www.dialysisfinder.com/dialysis-centers/monterey/ca/100#.X9Kn79hKjcs

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were 26 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,961 cases, with one new death reported.  Nationwide, there were 68,162 new cases for a cume total of 30.430million, while deaths rose by 561 to 551,638.  In California, There were 1,858 new cases reported in the Golden State, bringing the cume total to 3.669 million, while deaths rose by 95 to 59,233.  Pease stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A blue background with some type of virus


There was only one new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,935 cases, with no new deaths reported.  CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told reporters that she felt a sense of impending doom after watching the steady rise of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. despite all of the vaccinations being done.  In Europe, the situation is even worse.  French President Emmanuel Macron announced a three-week nationwide school closure and a one-month ban on domestic travel.  Paris hospital officials said they are going to have to start refusing patients for lack of space.  Nationwide, there were 62,045 new cases for a cume total of 30.362 million, while deaths rose by 1,047 to 551,077.  In California, signs of a third wave have not yet appeared, however, experts point out that California has been slower to reopen than other states.  However, because of the state’s size, the number of new cases logged here per capita ranks in the top 10 by state across the entire nation.  There were 2,331 new cases reported in the Golden State, bringing the cume total to 3.667 million, while deaths rose by 127 to 59,138.  Pease stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Pebble Beach, CA Tips For Seniors With Balance Issues—Particularly If You Have Diabetes

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


An article in Diabetes Forecast (September/October 2020, page 40), had a top for seniors who have balance issues—brush your teeth on one leg.  You would be surprised how a series of very short, but powerful exercises throughout the day can help your balance, tight muscles, and soothe aches and pains.  The article says this is particularly important if you have type 2 Diabetes.  To get more information 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 have Diabetes or pre-Diabetes!

https://communityhealthinnovations.org/what-we-do/diabetes-prevention-management/

Carmel, CA Tip On Diabetes Management : Take A 10 Minute Walk After Dinner

A blood glucose level chart showing the optimal levels.


Keeping yourself healthy when you have Type 2 Diabetes can be a challenge.  However, according to Diabetes Forecast (September/October 2020, page 40), people with type 2 Diabetes who took a 10-minute walk after dinner had a smaller rise in their after-meal blood glucose levels than when they took a 30-minute walk at another time of the day.  The data comes from a study which was published in Diabetologia.    To get more information 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 have Diabetes or pre-Diabetes!

https://communityhealthinnovations.org/what-we-do/diabetes-prevention-management/

Pebble Beach, CA Retiring? Think About Decluttering

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


The November 2020 issue of the Kiplinger Retirement Report had an article on retiring and getting rid of all of that extra junk that you have lying around—while making a profit!  For instance, called Decluttr (available on both the Apple iPhone and Google Android) where all you have to do when selling electronics (as well as accessories like video games, DVDs and CDs) is input the make and model.  They will email you a price quote that is good for four weeks and a shipping label for mailing the item.  No need to send in photos or any information, just wipe all personal data clean and send the equipment in.  Another interesting app is The RealReal which will buy designer clothes.  You just bag them up and mail them in and they apparently give a decent price for used clothes. If you have things to give away, I recommend the Church Mouse, which is owned by the First United Methodist Church in Pacific Grove.  They have always been kind to us and god bless them!

https://butterflychurchpg.wixsite.com/butterflychurch/ministries

Monterey, CA If Seniors Are Feeling Lazy, Try Giving Them Resistance Bands For Exercise

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


If you have a senior loved one who you are struggling to help with exercise, try resistance bands.  They are great to give them some exercise while watching TV or just sitting around.  You can find them on amazon.com and other web sites in the $10-$20 range.  An easy exercise is to put the resistance band under both of your feet and hold the handles at your sides with the palms facing up.  Then slowly curl your hands to your shoulders, keeping your elbows at your sides.  Then slowly lower to the starting position, repeating as many times as it feels comfortable. Although it may seem inadvisable to go to Carmel Beach or Ocean Avenue for some fresh air and exercise because of the coronavirus, at least take them for a walk around the neighborhood once in a while.  It’s good to get out of the house once in awhile!

Pebble Beach, CA Get Help Dealing With Long Term Care LTC Companies

A stethoscope laying on top of papers.


There was an article in the November 2020 Kiplinger’s Retirement Report (page 18) about the difficulties that many people are having getting their LTC provider to pay up.  At Family inHome Caregiving we have dealt with a lot of LTC providers, and each one is different.  We assist our clients by filling out the proper paperwork and giving the LTC provider the reports that they need in order to process the paperwork quickly.  We have found that typically, it takes a couple of claims to figure out exactly what the LTC provider is looking for.  However, once you get the kinks worked out, it is smooth sailing.  We have multiple clients in Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove and can help you through the LTC red tape.

Monterey, CA Alzheimer’s Association Partners With AARP on Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia Webinar

A purple background with the alzheimer 's association logo.


Join Alzheimer’s Association and AARP on March 30 at 3:00 p.m. for a webinar on Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  They will give you a great framework to guide both you and a loved one through this difficult process.  To register, click on this link:

https://action.alz.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Events/ALZ/MeetingRegistration.aspx?productId=73583196

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://action.alz.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Default.aspx?TabID=1356&productId=73583196

Family Caregivers Could Benefit Under Biden Administration

A nurse is smiling next to an older woman.


President Biden is calling on Congress to pass legislation that would allocate $450 billion over 10 years to enable Medicaid recipients to choose to be cared for at home or in the community rather than be placed in a residential facility.  Family caregivers would receive a tax credit of $5,000 per year.  Let’s hope it passes!