Health Care in America ~ Costly Increases

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law is getting a mixed verdict in the first comprehensive look by neutral experts: More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up.

Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance — adding 34 million to the coverage rolls.

But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, since Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, the report warned.

It's a worrisome assessment for Democrats.

In particular, concerns about Medicare could become a major political liability in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors.

The report from Medicare's Office of the Actuary carried a disclaimer saying it does not represent the official position of the Obama administration. White House officials have repeatedly complained that such analyses have been too pessimistic and lowball the law's potential to achieve savings.

The report acknowledged that some of the cost-control measures in the bill — Medicare cuts, a tax on high-cost insurance and a commission to seek ongoing Medicare savings — could help reduce the rate of cost increases beyond 2020. But it held out little hope for progress in the first decade.

"During 2010-2019, however, these effects would be outweighed by the increased costs associated with the expansions of health insurance coverage," wrote Richard S. Foster, Medicare's chief actuary. "Also, the longer-term viability of the Medicare ... reductions is doubtful." Foster's office is responsible for long-range costs estimates.

Republicans said the findings validate their concerns about Obama's 10-year, nearly $1 trillion plan to remake the nation's health care system.

"A trillion dollars gets spent, and it's no surprise — health care costs are going to go up," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., a leading Republican on health care issues. Camp added that he's concerned the Medicare cuts will undermine care for seniors.

In a statement, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sought to highlight some positive findings for seniors. For example, the report concluded that Medicare monthly premiums would be lower than otherwise expected, due to the spending reductions.

"The Affordable Care Act will improve the health care system for all Americans, and we will continue our work to quickly and carefully implement the new law," the statement said.

Passed by a divided Congress after a year of bitter partisan debate, the law would create new health insurance markets for individuals and small businesses. Starting in 2014, most Americans would be required to carry health insurance except in cases of financial hardship. Tax credits would help many middle-class households pay their premiums, while Medicaid would pick up more low-income people. Insurers would be required to accept all applicants, regardless of their health.

The U.S. spends $2.5 trillion a year on health care, far more per person than any other developed nation, and for results that aren't clearly better when compared to more frugal countries. At the outset of the health care debate last year, Obama held out the hope that by bending the cost curve down, the U.S. could cover all its citizens for about what the nation would spend absent any changes.

The report found that the president's law missed the mark, although not by much. The overhaul will increase national health care spending by $311 billion from 2010-2019, or nine-tenths of 1 percent. To put that in perspective, total health care spending during the decade is estimated to surpass $35 trillion.

Administration officials argue the increase is a bargain price for guaranteeing coverage to 95 percent of Americans. They also point out that the law will decrease the federal deficit by $143 billion over the 10-year period.

The report's most sober assessments concerned Medicare.

In addition to flagging provider cuts as potentially unsustainable, the report projected that reductions in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans would trigger an exodus from the popular alternative. Enrollment would plummet by about 50 percent. Seniors leaving the private plans would still have health insurance under traditional Medicare, but many might face higher out-of-pocket costs.

In another flashing yellow light, the report warned that a new voluntary long-term care insurance program created under the law faces "a very serious risk" of insolvency.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Baby Boomers Want to AGE in PLACE

Reasons Boomers Want to Age in Place
Written By : Diane Carbo

Remaining in place by choice is growing in popularity. Surveys by the American Association of Retired Persons found that more than 85 percent of Americans age 50 and older want to "stay in my own home and never move." An aging society of baby boomers will have a very different sort of retirement. They're more likely to work longer, start a second career, volunteer or go back to school. Baby boomers want to live well and healthy, live comfortably, and age in familiar surroundings. Here are the ten top reasons for planning for aging home healthcare during your golden years.

1.Aging in place allows for maximum amount of freedom for the individual. Baby boomers are more likely to be found in the gym, spending time volunteering, or on the internet. Remaining at home allows you to engage in daily routine, as your health permits, in the least restrictive environment. It allows you to have the care that you want and the manner in which you receive it.

2.Aging in place is safe. Baby boomers are changing the expectations of what they want as they age. They do not want to compromise health and safety. They are demanding that the changes to their home environment be appealing to the eye and useful. Returning home after a sickness or illness that required hospitalization will decrease or even eliminate the risk of infection when the care is provided in the home setting. Preparing the home ahead of time can prevent issues that may arise before they can become serious within the home. This can be done by having an evaluation done by a health care professional to identify problem areas in the home. One example in assessing the home environment includes preventing falls. Simple changes in the home environment and introduction of caregivers and home care professionals can address many issues. As an example, a patient that may have balance issues or weakness and dizziness may need help bathing and dressing.

3.Aging in place promotes healing. Baby boomers want quality of life. Aging in place allows a more holistic approach to our care as our physical bodies or health declines. For an older adult, there is no place like home for successful aging. Living in the familiar surroundings, being around loved ones heals the mind and spirit, not just the body. Minimizing change also helps create less confusion in the older adult and can help extend their lives.

4.Aging in place gives the aging adult some control. Baby boomers want choices and options and expect to be an active participant in their own care. Planning ahead and exploring all their options will help the aging adult the ability to choose the services that best suit their needs. Receiving care at home allows them to have more say and an individualized approach to their care.

5.Aging in place can allow for the care to be personalized. As we age, at some point we may require assistance at home. Home care allows the care to be individualized to meet the specific needs of each person. It also allows one on one attention and interaction.

6.Aging in place is comfortable. Baby boomers have made it loud and clear year after year they would prefer to stay in their home for successful aging. Familiarity and comfort of being in your own environment, surrounded by loved ones is a type of quality of life that baby boomers have come to expect . It is also the type of quality care that loved ones would want for their aging adult.

7.Aging in place contributes to a healthier, safer and happier life. Baby boomers are more health conscious and concerned about the quality of life than previous generations. There is a growing industry of universal design (home modifications that can is appealing to the eye and useful to everyone) and technological advances to meet the needs of the baby boomers as they age at home. This movement will replace the institutional walls of a nursing home. Living out the rest of their days at home, in a safe environment contributes to a healthier, happier aging adult.

8.Aging in place allows you to remain in your community. The entire community stands to gain from the aging adult that wants to remain in their home as they age. If their health allows, the aging adult can be a mentor in the community. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, forty-five percent of people over 65 volunteer annually. This equates into savings for the community and having positive role models for future generations. Aging adults are concerned about their community and show their support by buying locally and contributing financially to causes that are important to them.

9.Advanced technology supports aging at home Baby boomers have been heard and advanced technologies are available. Advancements are being made daily to assure safety and well being as we age in place. For example, the Wii is being utilized by hospitals and rehab centers to promote strength, endurance and flexibility in patients. This is a program that can by utilized at home to keep the aging adult active and have fun doing something they like to do. Robot vacuums are now available to assist in keeping the house clean. There are sensors that can be placed in the home that measures the activity of the aging adult, so that even a long distance family member can see if there is a change in activity on a daily basis. These are just a few of many resources that support aging at home successfully.

10.Aging in place reduces the fear of loss of independence A study commissioned by Clarity and The EAR Foundation, found that aging adults fear moving into a nursing home and losing their independence more than they fear death. This same study found that the Baby Boomer children of seniors also fear for their parents. in particular concern about their parents' emotional and physical well being should they have to enter a nursing home

If you are planning for future long term needs now you are already ahead of the game. Anything that you can do now will save you money and decrease stress and anxiety for you and your family when difficult decisions have to be made. We could all be prepared better, but planning early allows you to be more thoughtful and knowledgeable. It allows you to explore all your options for when the time comes.


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Aging Well: Seven Important Steps To Consider

Seven Steps to Help Senior Citizens Age Well
Written By : The Caring Space

1. Control your blood pressure.

When you have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, you probably will not feel it. Though common, senior citizens with this condition may not know because the symptoms of high blood pressure are invisible and painless, but it can lead to strokes, heart disease, eye problems, and kidney failure. To avoid these serious complications senior citizens should be familiar with how to avoid and treat high blood pressure.

Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure (top number) that's less than 120 and a diastolic pressure (bottom number) that's less than 80-for example, 119 over 79. Prehypertension is a state in which you're at risk for developing hypertension and is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 139 or a diastolic pressure between 80 and 89. High blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure of 140 over 90 or higher at two different checkups.

There are a number of steps senior citizens can take to avoid developing hypertension. Those responsible for caring for the elderly should help to encourage senior citizens to develop and maintain these healthy practices, some of which are listed below:

•Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts you at a greater risk for hypertension.
•Practice a regular exercise regimen. You can lower your blood pressure with moderate exercise, but you should talk to you doctor before starting a new workout plan.
•Eat a healthy diet with many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods. Eating a diet rich in these foods may lower blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables have a lot of potassium, which is important to have in your diet.
•Decrease your salt and sodium intake. A low-salt diet could help lower blood pressure.
•Consume less alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can have adverse effects on blood pressure. In general, men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women should have no more than one drink per day.
•Heed your doctor's advice. If lifestyle changes alone aren't significantly lowering your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication to do so.
2. Cholesterol control for the elderly.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced in the body. Your body needs some cholesterol, but an excess of it in your blood has the potential to clog arteries, contributing to your risk of heart disease or stroke, both of which are common in senior citizens.

There are two kinds of cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). HDL is "good" cholesterol that transports cholesterol to your liver to be excreted, thus keeping it away from your arteries. LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, contributes to a buildup of cholesterol in the walls of your arteries. The more LDL you have, the greater your chance of developing coronary heart disease.

To reduce your levels of LDL and increase HDL, it is important to eat a healthy diet and get a moderate amount of exercise. If that is not enough to decrease your cholesterol, there are some medications available.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC). This is a method that includes a cholesterol-lowering diet, exercise, and weight management, and it is for anyone whose LDL is above the goal set by his or her physician.

Drug treatment. If drugs are required to lower your cholesterol, they will be in combination with TLC to decrease your amount of LDL.

3. Weight control for the elderly.

Studies show that being overweight increase the risk of many disease in senior citizens, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and other health-related problems.

Losing as little as 5 to 15 percent of your body weight can significantly improve your health. A safe, healthy rate of weight loss is half a pound to two pounds per week. The following is a list of ideas to keep you on track with losing weight:

•Keep track of what you eat in a food diary.
•Make a grocery list and buy only what is on the list. Try to shop only when you're not hungry.
•Store food where you cannot immediately see it upon entering the kitchen.
•Eat smaller servings, and at restaurants, eat half of your meal and pack up the rest for later.
•Eat at the table, not in front of the TV. Be conscious of what you are eating.
•Set healthy, realistic goals for weight loss (including a realistic timeline).
•Work out a diet and exercise plan with your doctor or other health professionals involved in providing your elder care.
•Know and rely on your emotional support system.
•Expect to have some setbacks, and forgive yourself.
•Make regular exercise a part of your plan.
4. Senior's exercise guide.

When you exercise, you burn calories. Burning more calories than you take in will result in weight loss. Generally, senior citizens have less muscle mass in the body, but strength exercises can help to restore strength and muscle mass, often fairly quickly.

To get started on an exercise plan, talk to your doctor or other health professionals providing your elder care about what is right for you. Working up to exercising 4 to 6 days per week for 30 to 60 minutes at a time is usually a good goal to set.

5. Quit smoking.

Quitting smoking is never too late and is important for improving senior citizens' health. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. It is a leading risk factor for lung cancer, which is the most common form of cancer leading to death. Smoking is also associated with other kinds of cancer, and it increases the risk of chronic lung disease and heart disease.

Quitting smoking may seem especially difficult for senior citizens, but there are resources to help. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has guidelines for quitting in its Cancer Topics online at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics. The American Lung Association's "Freedom From Smoking Online" program (www.ffsonline.org) describes a very thorough approach to smoking cessation and offers support from many other smokers and former smokers.

It is widely acknowledged that quitting smoking can be of tremendous advantage to you and your loved ones, regardless of age.

6. Be careful with alcohol.

Misusing alcohol can be life-threatening to senior citizens. Drinking more than the recommended amount (two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women) can increase the risk of certain cancers in the liver, throat, esophagus, and larynx on top of causing cirrhosis of the liver, problems with the immune system, and brain damage. In other situations, irresponsible drinking can lead to fatalities on the road and on-the-job injuries.

If you decide to drink, do so responsibly to avoid the risks associated with heavy drinking.

7. Be aware of and follow proven preventative measures.

Senior citizens must be responsible for their own health, this includes being an active participant with your physician and other health professionals involved in providing your elder care. Some preventative steps senior citizens can take are the following:

Locate and stay with a "medical home." Having doctors and nurses who know you and your family can be very important, so find a "medical home" physician or practice and keep going to that practice over time.

Stay up-to-date with vaccines. Knowing which vaccines are produced and emerging for adults can be of great benefit to your health. Try not to ignore them, as they are very important for senior citizens.

Take good care of your skin. The more sensitive skin of senior citizens may increase sunlight-related effects, from wrinkles to certain types of skin cancer. Protect yourself from too much sunlight, and if you notice changes in your skin, talk to a doctor about them.

Take your medicine. Compliance-taking the prescribed amount of medication at the recommended time-makes the medicines you take the most effective.

Find ways to educate yourself. As you age, being proactive about your health means seeking out information about ways to stay healthy. You can do this by frequently perusing websites like www.medlineplus.gov and www.nihseniorhealth.gov for trusted, up-to-date information.



For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Mourning the Death of a Spouse

Mourning the Death of a Spouse
From: The Caring Space

Many senior citizens experience the death of a spouse. There is no right or wrong way to mourn a loved one's passing, though you may be confused about different emotions that arise during the experience. You may feel shocked, numb, guilty, regretful, or even angry. Grieving is painful for anyone, both emotionally and physically. Grieving individuals may feel that they cry more easily, have trouble sleeping, have little or no appetite, have problems concentrating, or have a harder time making decisions.

There is no formula for grief in terms of how long it lasts or how severe it is. People who grieve the loss of a loved one are dealing with pain from the separation as well as other emotions that result from looking at one’s own life during these times of change and adjustment. Although grieving is different for everyone, it is normal. Grieving only becomes abnormal when it interferes with daily functioning for very long periods of time as in the development of psychiatric disorders like depression or anxiety.

Grieving is difficult because it involves loss and change. Immediately after the loss of a loved one, keeping busy and spending time with friends and loved ones may help. It is also important to have a plan for adjustment to life without your lost loved one. Some common considerations are listed below:

•Take care of yourself. Although you may lose the motivation to eat right or stay healthy, it is important to continue to get proper nutrition and avoid unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
•Talk to caring friends. Seeking social interaction with people you care about and letting them know how or when you want to talk about your grief can be very helpful in recovering from loss.
•Join a support group. Talking with people who have also experienced grief can be very helpful and satisfying.
•Try not to make major changes in your life right away. Minimizing stress during grief is important for staying mentally and emotionally stable during these challenging times.
•See your doctor. Talking to a doctor about how you are feeling and how it may be affecting your health is another way to get assistance in the grieving process.
•Do not think you have to handle your grief alone. There is nothing wrong with seeking short term assistance from mental health professionals who can offer more support.
•Remember your children are grieving too. Relationships and emotions can change after a loved one has passed, but remember that everyone is adjusting.
•Remember – mourning takes time. Some people experience these changes in themselves and in family for varying amounts of time after the loss, but it is normal and expected.
Adjusting to Living Alone

Some men and women grieve the loss of a spouse differently because of roles they may have had when the spouse was still living. After the spouse has passed, some men and women may be simultaneously grieving, adjusting, and dealing with the stress of taking on these roles. Men may find they are at a loss for how to go about housework. Women may feel less safe or unsure of how to pay bills and manage finances. Having the support and patience of friends and loved ones can help in the process of learning to adjust to this new way of life so that you can function in day-to-day life.

Both men and women may struggle with living alone. Here are some tips for adjusting to this kind of lifestyle:

•Taking walks with friends and getting out of the house
•Going to the library to check out books that interest you
•Volunteering at a local school as a tutor or playground aide
•Joining a community exercise group
•Joining a chorus
•Meeting old friends
•Signing up for bingo or bridge at recreation centers
•Considering a part-time job
•Joining a bowling league or sewing group
•Babysitting
•Adopting a pet
Eating may become harder for people who cannot share a meal time with others or who have lost their appetite. It may help to eat with friends either at a senior citizen center or local cafeteria. Some people find that turning on a radio or TV during a meal at home helps.

Other Obligations

After the loss of a spouse, there are other obligations that are important to think about once you feel that you are able to handle more responsibility. These include:

•Writing a new will
•Looking into a durable power of attorney for legal matter and healthcare in case you are unable to make a medical decision in the future
•Putting joint assets in your name
•Checking health, car, and life insurance policies
•Signing up for Medicare by your 65th birthday
•Paying state and federal taxes
You may also need to eventually go through belongings of a loved one that has passed away. If you do not feel ready, do not give away all of these items at once. Be sensitive to your own feelings and set aside items that you wish you give away, keep, or share with children and grandchildren.

Social Adjustments

Making social adjustments after the grieving process can be quite difficult when it involves going out or dating. Here are some tips for making a shift to single life:

•Go slowly and try to stay in touch with your emotions in order to know what is comfortable for you.
•Remember that it is okay to make the first move when making plans with others
•Try group activities like pot lucks or outings with a group of friends
•With friends who are couples, try to plan more casual events that do not remind you of the past
•Remember that friendship can come in many forms
The most important thing to remember when you are grieving is to take care of yourself and seek help if you are having too much trouble adjusting. It is normal to find death overwhelming, and seeking assistance is perfectly normal. Do not feel guilty to continue to love yourself, laugh at a joke, or enjoy aspects of life that you used to.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Extraordinary People of the Senior Kind ~ Francoise

Frankie was 83 when I became involved in her care. She was legally blind. She spoke very little English, but she was fluent in French. She lived, without a mortgage, on a one acre plot of land in a very exclusive section of Miami Beach, but her house was literally falling down around her.

There was a two foot wide hole in the bathroom floor. Frankie knew where it was, so she didn't fall through, but I went right down and through, the first time I entered it. The roof leaked. The refrigerator didn't cool. Air conditioning was non-existent. The stove had quit in 1984. She was mal-nourished, and save for a Catholic priest who visited weekly, she was completely isolated.

Her husband had passed away perhaps 20 years earlier, and he had been a famous classical musician with a well known symphony orchestra. Frankie was just about the most well educated, nicest, sweetest, most unprepossessing client I've ever had.
What a delight, and what a monumental task at hand. I had to rehab her house from scratch and still maintain her residency in it.

Anyway, my husband spoke almost passable French, my doorman was Haitian, so between those two as interpreters we communicated and we formed a bond. It took me about 6 months, but we accomplished all our repairs. Each week I would bring Frankie along as far as socialization was concerned. We brought in a CNA who spoke French, and what an amazing transformation that was, as perhaps 25 years worth of conversations, never voiced, came gushing out of Frankie.

Then, I achieved my greatest triumph with Frankie and it was completely serendipitous. One of our other CNA's had to give up her little dog because her child was allergic to it. One day, I brought (that mutt) over to Frankie's house by accident. The dog never left her side. It was love at first sight. They were constant companions for the next three years. By the time Frankie passed away, I truly believe that dog spoke French.

It may be gratuitous, but I still smile every once in a while, knowing with absolute certainty, that during the last 4-5 years of Frankie's life, she felt as safe and as happy and as loved, as she probably had ever felt before. We only had one serious disagreement in all our time together. Frankie wanted to leave me her house and I insisted it be left to the Church (and it was).

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Moving to a Smaller Home & Scaling Down

Scaling Down (Almost) Painlessly
Written By : Phyllis Staff, PhD

Moving to a smaller house or apartment in a retirement community almost always involves a certain degree of trauma, both for the elder who's moving and for family members. However, by planning ahead you can reduce the discomfort involved and turn what might well become a nightmare into a pleasant event. Begin by Planning for the Move

Where is the elder moving? Go to the actual house or apartment with tape measure, pad and pencil and write down measurements. Floor space is important, but don't forget about ceilings. Many elders own large pieces of furniture that may not fit into rooms with low ceilings. Your work here will determine which pieces can move with your elder.

And while you're at the actual location, talk to several other elders who already live there. What is their life style? Do they go outside the property on frequent trips? How do they dress? Casual lifestyles will require an entirely different style of dress than more formal ones.

Gather Supplies and Contact Helpers

Having all the supplies you will need in one place will speed your task. You'll want a number of storage bins; five or six should be sufficient to hold sorted items. Plastic bags can be used for discarded belongings and as a container for articles to be donated to charities. Packing boxes and supplies such as padding materials and wide sealing tape are must-haves. Labels and dark marking pens are essential to ensure that boxes go to their intended location.

While you're in the gathering stage, begin to contact helpers you'll need. Among these may be:

estate sale professionals

certified appraisers

moving companies

house cleaners

repair specialists (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters)

Ask friends, relatives, and senior real estate specialists for recommendations. Also, check with the Better Business Bureau to ascertain whether problems have been reported about particular companies or individuals.

Approach Your Task One Room at a Time

Who should help? The elder and one family member should assume responsibility for sorting all items and some packing. Do not include everyone in the family if you want to make the job quick and easy because distractions increase in geometric proportion to the number of persons doing the sorting.

Sort all the items in one single room at once, beginning and ending in the kitchen. Why start there? Because kitchens in small houses and apartments typically are short on storage space, and the elder needs time and experience to determine which items are true necessities, and which may never be used. If you reduce kitchen items to a bare minimum at the beginning, your elder can determine what's needed and what's not by living with them ahead of time. After living with fewer items, your elder may find that items once thought essential may not be needed. Complete work in the kitchen at the very end of your tasks.

Even though you intend to stay in only one room, distractions will occur. Resist them by stacking items that belong in another room at the door. A bin or box placed just inside the door can contain all the items that have homes elsewhere.

Make your motto One Thing at a Time; One Time for each Thing. Once you've picked up an item, decide then and there what its fate should be. Place it in one of the bins you've labeled:

Discards

Donations

Distribution to Relatives

Keepers

Uncertainties

Large collections of books may require their own bins. You might have bins for Collectors' editions, books to be stored, books to be sold to book dealers.

When you have finished categorizing all the items in the room, start the packing process. Items in the Uncertainties bin can be packed for storage.

If an unbreakable item is to be moved only a short distance, don't waste time on elaborate packing and padding. Items like crystal and china, however, require excellent packing, regardless of the distance they will be moved. If you can't do a great job, leave packing fragile items to professionals.

Mark boxes as you go.

Mark boxes as you go.

Mark boxes as you go.

Nothing is more frustrating than finding that you've shipped your elder's bed linens to Aunt Minnie and kept a silver salver you meant to send your nephew.

Don't try to do everything at once. Do only one room on any given day, and take the time to enjoy reminiscing as you sort items.

This is also the perfect time to have a certified appraiser come in to appraise items that may be of significant value. Very expensive items may be auctioned at an auction house such as Christy's or Sotheby's. Less expensive items can be sold to local antiques dealers. By having an idea of their value before going to dealers, you reduce the chance that dealers can scam you.

You could also consider selling items through an on-line auction. If you do so, remember that you will be responsible for shipping items and ensuring their condition to successful bidders.

Distribute Items to the Intended Recipients

Schedule a single day for distribution of items. In-town relatives can come to pick up items intended for them; they may also be helpful by taking bags to charities, books to resellers, boxes to storage, and trash to dumps.

Use this day for shipping as well. Small items can be shipped via UPS or FedEx; large pieces of furniture and antiques may require special handling by movers. Once you've finished distribution, you should have a considerably reduced pile of boxes and furniture. These boxes should contain only items to be moved to the elder's new residence or to storage. Remaining items should be those to be sold in an estate sale.

Move the Elder to His New Residence

Will the mover actually show up on time? Will the mover actually show up at all? Increase the probability of a good outcome for the move by contacting the mover to confirm arrangement a week ahead and the day before the actual move is scheduled. Of course, missed appointments may still occur, but if you've checked out the company with the Better Business Bureau and reminded the company of your appointment, the chances are good that the move will go as planned.

Accompany your elder to his new residence and help him with the moving-in process. Even if not all boxes can be emptied in a single day, he will feel more comfortable if a few items that are meaningful to him are unpacked and placed where he can find them.

Hold an Estate Sale

Once the movers have left the premises, the estate sale professionals should come in to evaluate and price items for the estate sale. Give them a key to the house, and then get out of their way. If you have chosen well, these professionals can do a great job of pricing items to sell and clearing the house of whatever remains. They will take a percentage of the sale receipts as compensation.

The days of the sale are good days to keep your elder busy elsewhere. A tearful elder does nothing to help sales.

Schedule a professional cleaning service to clean the house once the estate sale is over. When that has been completed to your satisfaction, turn the keys over to your senior real estate professional and give yourself a big pat on the back. You're done!

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Two Important FREE Booklets for All Seniors

"End of Life: Helping With Comfort and Care" is a publication of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). This booklet discusses the issues commonly faced by people who are caring for a loved one nearing the end of life. It is filled with information and suggestions based upon research conducted by the NIA. It is a booklet that accurately explains end-of life care so that people making care decisions will have the knowledge to support the best quality of life for their loved one.


"The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning" is a comprehensive guide that provides information about long term care plans that will fit your lifestyle and budget. This publication will help you learn more about the steps of long term care planning:
1. Understanding care options, settings and programs
2. Funding the costs of long term care
3. Using long term care professionals
4. Creating your personal care plan and choosing a care coordinator

These free booklets can be ordered at the Web site www.wrpioneers.org

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

California ALF's

In California, the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division is responsible for the licensure and oversight of Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), also known as Assisted Living or Board & Care facilities. At its Web site, http://www.ccld.ca.gov/, you can locate licensed facilities by zip code, city, county, or area code. RCFEs provide care to persons 60 years of age and over or persons under age 60 who have compatible needs. Persons who have conditions such as diabetes, dementia, or incontinence may reside in these facilities if they can receive incidental medical care from licensed community providers. RCFEs with Hospice Waivers may also provide care to those who qualify for licensed hospice services. California Assisted Living facilities serve many residents and generally look like large apartment-style buildings with private units. California Board & Care facilities serve no more than six residents in home-style buildings with private or shared bedrooms and shared living and dining areas.

The California Assisted Living Association's Web site, http://www.caassistedliving.org/, provides a list of referral agencies that are members of the Association and a guide for screening agencies. Referral agencies should be carefully screened as they don't provide the same kinds of services. A consumer checklist for evaluating RCFEs can also be found at the Association's Web site.

For more information contact
Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Texas Healthcare Problems

HOUSTON - While President Obama presses for a health care vote, some senior citizens here in Houston are finding it tough to get into a doctor’s office.

Already, about one-third of doctors won’t take Medicaid patients, who are generally too poor to afford private insurance.

Now, some are also saying “no” to Medicare, the safety net for older Americans.

“I've never felt like I wouldn't get care, ever in my life,” says Sandy Vise, who has been on Medicare for 2 years. “This is just devastating for me.”

As a benefits administrator, Vise spent two decades giving advice on health insurance.

Now, she’s the one asking questions.

After her long-time primary care physician left Texas, Vise got two recommendations from friends.

“I called,” she says. “Neither one of them will take me because I'm a Medicare patient.”

Vise and her employer paid Medicare taxes her whole career.

So she was stunned to learn how Dr. Mina Sinacori views the government health program for senior citizens.

“Medicare is charity care,” says Sinacori. “We love our Medicare patients, we want to provide for our older patients, but physicians simply cannot afford to.”

Sinacori, an OB/GYN, says Medicare’s current reimbursement doesn’t even cover her costs.

And unless Congress acts by April 1, those reimbursements will be cut by 21.2-percent.

“With further reductions in payment,” says Sinacori, “we're going to see fewer and fewer physicians taking Medicare patients.”

This, as 78-million baby boomers hit retirement age starting next year.

Maybe that’s why President Barack Obama mentioned Medicare by name, in his full-court press to pass a health care bill by next Thursday.

“Reining in waste and inefficiencies,” says Obama, “we are going to be able to help ensure Medicare’s solvency for an additional decade.”

Mina Sinacori sees universal coverage as a noble goal but says Uncle Sam’s Medicare is not what the doctor ordered.

“If you think of it as a pilot program for national health care, it has failed, failed miserably.”

Congress keeps postponing that 21.2-percent Medicare pay cut; the latest proposal would put it off until October.

To doctors, that’s a bunch of Bandaids on a policy that requires surgery

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Extraordinary People of the Senior Kind - Bruce

In his early years Bruce, who stood all of 5 feet tall, was a giant in his own way. He had owned and operated 3 drug stores for 40 years and amassed a veritable fortune along the way. Bruce's wife died tragically at a very early age. Their one son had already left the house, but the son and Bruce became estranged over time. I first met Bruce at age 90. You could tell why Bruce was successful, because he was strong willed to say the least.

Bruce was non-compliant and cantankerous. He had several million dollars and no one to talk to. His son Bobby was a multi-millionaire in his own right and had no interest in his father or his father's money. He was currently living with wife #3 in a northern city. However, as I listened to them both I knew in my heart that each one really loved the other. Thus began my quest to reunite them.

My hardest job: teaching Bruce how to show his love for his son. Second hardest job: teaching Bobby how to listen. Every time I saw Bruce I made him hug me. Every time I saw him I kissed him on the cheek. I did everything I could to force him to show affection and receive affection. I invited him to my family gatherings. I forced him to see what a loving family unit actually looked like. I forced him to feel what it was like to be loved.

As the father aged, the son developed a debilitating disease. Well, it took several years and many visits to get these two on the right track. We never told Dad that his son had medical issues. We hid the symptoms. People in their 90's are pretty self-absorbed so it wasn't that difficult. They eventually developed a loving relationship and got on better than they had in 50 years. I was delighted to see that Bruce finally found all the love and affection he had suppressed in his life and it was soon channeled in my direction. He called me every single day and worried that I was working too hard. If I visited him after 5pm he tried to send me home.

He decided (while he was still alive) to turn over all his assets to his son. We accomplished this quite easily. The son didn't need the money and it made no difference to his lifestyle as he battled his disease. My Bruce died about three years ago and I still miss him. But here's the interesting part:

About one year ago at the height of the financial meltdown in this country and at the bottom bottom of the stock market decline out of the clear blue I got a call from Bobby and here's a summary of what he told me:

"Hi Ronnee, I wanted to tell you once again that you made Dad's final years the best of both of our lives, my illness is getting the best of me at the moment, and here's something interesting that happened to me. Last year, I had a chance meeting with Warren Buffet and he encouraged me to sell everything I owned and to go short the market. I've made so much money I really can't spend it all, so - if there's anything you ever need, for whatever the reason, please call me."

I can tell you that there's a first time for everything......Ronnee

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Good News for Rotator Cuff Injury Sufferers

March 10, 2010 - Tears in the shoulder's rotator cuff, a common injury among senior citizens due to falls, are painful and restricting. Surgery to repair the damage is successful for pain management, but in many patients it does not result in full recovery of function due to poor healing. New research shows an approved therapy for osteoporosis, Forteo (teriparatide), may speed healing and improve patient outcomes.

The preliminary study from Hospital for Special Surgery in New York is being presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) meeting in New Orleans, which runs March 9-13.

"According to a previous study, only 69 percent of rotator cuff repairs were completely healed when evaluated two years after the surgery," said Scott Rodeo, M.D., co-chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at Hospital for Special Surgery and senior author on the study.

"Although not all of the patients with failed rotator cuff tendon healing had poor clinical outcomes, we wanted to look for ways to further improve patient outcomes."

The rotator cuff is a set of four smaller muscles in the shoulder that rotate the upper arm. A rotator cuff tear happens when the tendon part of the muscle tears away from the bone of the upper arm. The repair surgery reattaches the tendon to the bone, but the success depends on how well the interface between the tendon and bone heals.

Much of the time scar tissue forms at that interface, which is not as strong as the original tissue and can lead to a failed repair.

"The healing process occurs from both the bone and the tendon, which is made up of collagen," said Carolyn Hettrich, M.D., MPH, fifth year resident in orthopedic surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery and lead author.

"We knew the drug Forteo is osteogenic and can stimulate bone growth, but we found reports in the literature that it is also chondrogenic, so it can promote cartilage formation as well."


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

DON'T fall for this scam

Police Departments became aware of a scam targeting senior citizens and Medicare recipients.

The scam involves a caller claiming to be from the Medicare office stating that there has been a glitch in their computer system. The caller states that the recipients need to re-verify their card information which is the recipient's Social Security number ending in a letter. The callers are also asking recipients to verify their bank routing numbers.

By no means should any individual give this information out over the phone, say local law enforcement officials. Suspects can use this information to open accounts or access bank records.

Remember that any caller asking for Social Security numbers, bank routing numbers, full names and dates of birth are likely to be scams or attempts at identity theft. If you've experienced this scam or feel that you have been a victim of a scam please call your local law enforcement agency immediately.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Free Booklet: Fight Identity Theft & More

March 10, 2010

The elderly are among the first targets of scam artists. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is using National Consumer Protection Week this week to offer guides on how to avoid becoming a victim.

• The guide, "Every Cent Counts -- for Senior Citizens," offers information about credit and debt problems, difficulty paying a mortgage and how to combat identity theft. Get it at IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov or by calling (800) 386-5438 to request a copy by mail.


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Not Every Nursing Home is Safe !!!

Tulsa, OK: Last month the New York Times published an in-depth exposé of elder abuse at many US care facilities. The story prompted the Senate Finance Committee to launch an investigation into patient deaths and allegations of substandard treatment.
According to the New York Times report, the Senate investigation will focus on Select Medical Corporation, which operates 89 long-term for-profit care hospitals across the US and boasts more facilities than any other company.

The Times detailed an incident that allegedly occurred at a Select facility in Kansas, in which a dying patient's heart alarm sounded for more than an hour before help arrived. By the time nursing staff finally responded, the patient had been in distress for 77 minutes.

On March 8, Senators Max Baucus (D-Montana, the committee’s chairman) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), the panel's senior Republican, demanded that Select provide more information about the allegations. Select Medical indicates it would cooperate fully with the inquiry, although a spokeswoman claimed that Select viewed the Times article as misleading and inaccurate.

Other complaints lodged against Select and subject to investigation come from former employees of the company, who have detailed a discharge policy that seems to put profit ahead of patient well-being.

Under Medicare rules, hospitals that treat patients for 25 days or longer earn higher Medicare payments. Former Select employees allege that the company presses to keep patients for 25 days, then tries to discharge them almost immediately in an effort to maximize profitability. At some Select hospitals, the New York Times reported, the twenty-fifth day is known as the "magic day."

In a lawsuit concerning the death of 79-year-old Ruth Tanner, a patient in a Select hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a doctor provided a deposition claiming that nurses at the facility injected the "relatively-healthy" Tanner with 10 times the appropriate level of insulin, then waited 90 minutes after the woman had slipped into a coma before notifying her doctor. Tanner never regained consciousness, according to medical records and the lawsuit. She died in early 2009, a month after the incident.

The owners of Select have earned $400 million since founding the company in 1996. Recent company announcements revealed that profit margins had risen 19 percent in 2009, compared to 16 percent the year before. Cash flow increased by $54 million.

The Government Accountability Office has been asked to examine federal and state oversight of all long-term care hospitals.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Making Cell Phones for Seniors

Among cell phone users in developed countries, IBM is betting the market with the biggest growth potential is...people over the age of 65?

It makes more sense than you'd think. According to recent findings, most of them already own cell phones, so it's not as if they're adverse to the technology. But unlike younger generations, who are seemingly targeted with a new cell phone gimmick every week, they're largely ignored on the marketing front--excepting a few efforts from Nokia and Samsung, which makes the senior-friendly Jitterbug

IBM's two-year research program, which also involves the National Institute of Design of India and Tokyo University, will explicitly focus on making cell phones easier to use, for both the elderly and the illiterate. Moreover, the software it develops will be open-source, so all governments and businesses can take advantage.

"As the population in Europe and North America ages, the need for specialized mobile devices will become acute," Ben Wood, research director at British consultancy CCS Insight, told Reuters. "Phone makers will have to adapt if they want to appeal to a generation that has grown up with mobile devices, but can't use them in the ways they used to."

In other words: MAKE THE BUTTONS BIGGER AND THE RINGTONES LOUDER, duh.


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Common Scams Against Senior Citizens

Missouri Attorney General educating residents about consumer fraud

JOPLIN, MO. - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster talks about National Consumer Protection Week. Koster says seniors are often targeted for scams concerning everything from telemarketing to life insurance.

He says one of the most common schemes involves a company offering to improve your credit score for a fee.

"One of the important jobs of the Attorney General's office is to educate people and let them to know about consumer's scans that are effecting hundreds of thousands of Missourians every year," Koster says.

Koster says consumers with credit problems can get help free of charge or at a low cost through local consumer credit counseling services.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Extraordinary People of the Senior Kind - Evelyn

Here's quite an interesting story, not only to demonstrate its final outcome , but the trip along the way:

One night I received a call from an condominium complex that one of their ladies was acting out of character. She was only in her 60's but, according to them, had gone off the deep end and was threatening her neighbors with bodily harm.

I went over there on a fact finding mission. I invited my fiancee to accompany me so he could see what I did for a living (actually I needed him to keep her busy while I searched through her papers).

I found the following: Her name was Evelyn.

Evelyn had never been married. She owned her own condo. She had worked her entire life at low level positions. She had quite a chunk of money and had no debts. It probably took me an hour to glean this information from her papers. I found that she came here from West Virginia in the 1960's but I could not find any family records.

In the meantime my fiancee was chatting with Evelyn. My fiancee (just like a lot of guys) considers himself an expeert in the stock market. So when Evenly asked him if he wanted to see her trading records, he agreed. Out came books and books of detailed stock transactions that Evelyn had made over the years, recorded virtually to the penny. According to my expert, she had done amazingly well.

But sometime about 4 months earlier, the records ended abruptly. About 15 minutes into the conversation, her grasp on reality had ended as well. If I had taken another 10 minutes, my upcoming marriage would have ended as well. It wasn't too difficult to figure out that some event, a mini-stroke or something like that had happened and although she was still functioning, she was in trouble living by herself.

My fiancee took me to the closet and showed me at least 50 shoe boxes, each filled with papers. Each shoe box represented all her keepsakes and memories from ocean liner cruises she had taken. Each box was labelled with ship and date of cruise. Fifty shoe boxes meant she had taken 50 cruises. She loved cruising. She had the money, she was spending it.

Those days the next step in situations like this was to apply for an emergency temporary guardianship. A guardianship court is asked to determine if the person is competent to handle their own affairs. There's a lawyer for the condominium complex who we filed for, and there is a court appointed lawyer assigned to protect Evelyn.

Evelyn was to be examined and at the Court hearing her competency is adjudicated by a judge or a general master. In order to take the necessary steps to protect someone in this scenario, you have to be appointed the guardian or work for the guardian. The court met and determined that Evelyn was fully competent and did not need a guardian.

My fiancee was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe it. He was ready to call the newspapers and the t.v. stations and make a big stink. I told him to wait. It would all work out, not to worry. Six weeks later Evelyn attacked her next door neighbor with a spoon. Luckily spoons do not do too much damage. Evelyn was taken in and held for psychiatric examination in a large lock down facility. The same court people as before, came in and committed her.

No one expected Evelyn's reaction, but when she saw the large facility and the large dining area, she settled right in for the "Cruise of the Rest of her Life".
She was safe. She was happy. She made friends. She had activities.
Strangely enough, this was the best thing for Evelyn and my (now) husband has never forgotten her story and never will.

Ronnee

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Combating Dementia Through ART

OXFORD, OHIO — For a person with dementia, coloring inside the lines of a picture can be difficult and overwhelming. But painting in watercolor offers that same person a chance to freely express themselves.

Elizabeth Lokon has developed an art program around this idea.

Lokon’s Opening Minds Through Art program pairs a dementia patient with a Miami University student each week for activities like watercolor, collage and printmaking.

“I found that, often times, people with dementia are underserved and misunderstood,” she said .

“I think people are caring and they want to do good work, good activities for people with dementia, but it seems to me they give up too soon,” she said. “They figure, ‘Oh they don’t make sense, they cant remember things,’ so they try to make things simple and when they think simple, they think of children.”

Opening Minds Through Art not only provides activities appropriate for adults, but it also promotes confidence and social relationships.

Opening Minds Through Art, which is offered weekly at the Knolls of Oxford and Adult Day Services in Oxford, will expand to seven locations by fall 2010 in Oxford, Hamilton and the Cincinnati area.

Lokon, a research associate at the Scripps Gerontology Center, originally developed the program as a thesis for her graduate studies at Miami University

After studying dementia residents in nursing homes, Lokon said the problem with many activities offered is they are “simple to the point of boring and inappropriate for people who are 80 and 90 years old.” OMA addresses a common problem in patients of being distracted and easily disoriented.

OMA seeks to increase the creative self-expression of people with dementia through a highly structured 15-step process centered on strong one-on-one relationships, which also increases the participant’s health and psychological wellbeing.

The program, which receives support from the Oxford Community Foundation, is carried out in a number of art sessions with each participant, referred to as the artist, donning an apron for an hour every Friday afternoon for the chance to create an original piece of artwork.

Because the degree of dementia ranges significantly among the participants, they are split into two groups.

Each participant is matched with a Miami student who is trained in both the basics of dementia and effective communication strategies and who serves as not only a guide throughout each session, but also as a recognizable face eager to chat or to provide moral support for the artist.

The process begins with the “huddle,” where the day’s project leaders and the students meet to discuss the art project and each resident’s wellbeing on that particular day, along with any possible concerns.

After the students partner with the artists, they are given a short amount of time to socialize and to put on nametags — which give a sense of security — and aprons.

They start by singing a song and then get a brief introduction of the day’s project and a demonstration.

“The purpose of the demonstration is to show people how easy it is,” said Lokon .

Packages of the needed materials, called gifts, are then handed out to the artists for both simplicity and as a way to entice them into the project.

“Everything is about pulling them along” Lokon said. The process is also designed to keep patients from becoming overwhelmed and shutting down.

The artists are then free to create their pieces.

Some choose to work in silence, focusing intently on their art, while others chat back and forth with their assigned student and with the group leader.

Once the pieces are finished and signed, titles are given to each piece of work, which is then shown around the rest of the room amid ample compliments and the occasional “just wait until you see mine.”

The student fills out a form gauging both their feedback on the day’s activity and how they felt their partner reacted to the activity.

Finally, a 30-minute debriefing session is held between Lokon and a few of the leaders, while the students take this time to journal about the session.

This process is essential to meeting the goals of the OMA program which, aside from promoting confidence and social interaction among those with dementia through creative self-expression, include building strong relationships between those with dementia and the staff and students, educating the public about the creative abilities of people with dementia, and contributing to scholarly literature about dementia and dementia treatment.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

State of Massachusetts against use of RISPERDAL

Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office joined a federal lawsuit yesterday that contends that Johnson & Johnson paid tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks to get its drugs, especially the powerful antipsychotic Risperdal, prescribed in nursing homes.

The action was taken as Coakley’s office disclosed that it is also scrutinizing companies that market antipsychotics to Massachusetts nursing homes. These drugs are widely used in some homes for residents suffering from dementia, a condition that puts them at greater risk of death when given antipsychotics.

Antipsychotics were approved to treat people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, but it is legal for physicians to prescribe them “off label’’ to treat people with dementia. Pharmaceutical companies are prohibited from marketing or promoting off-label uses of their products.

“The inappropriate off-label marketing of antipsychotic drugs to nursing homes is a significant health and safety issue for our seniors,’’ Coakley said in a statement released by her office. “We have taken strong action on this issue in the past and are continuing to monitor it very closely moving forward.’’

Coakley’s office declined further comment, citing the pending litigation.

The Globe reported Monday that 28 percent of Massachusetts nursing home residents were given antipsychotics last year.

Of that group, 22 percent, or 2,483, did not have a medical condition that calls for such treatment. That rate was 12th highest in the nation, according to federal data.

The lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson — filed in January by the US attorney in Boston, Carmen M. Ortiz — alleges that the drug company paid millions to Omnicare, the nation’s largest provider of drugs to nursing homes, to get the company to intensively push the antipsychotic Risperdal between 1999 and 2004, using rebate programs and other incentives.

That campaign nearly tripled sales of J&J products to Omnicare, from approximately $100 million to over $280 million, with annual purchases of Risperdal alone rising to over $100 million, the suit contends.

Omnicare then filed for reimbursement for these purchases, seeking payment from Medicaid, the joint federal and state health program for the poor, which pays for nursing home care for many seniors.

The attorney general’s office is joining the suit against Johnson & Johnson to ensure that the state shares in any financial settlement for the Medicaid payments.

Omnicare agreed in November to pay $98 million to settle federal charges it took kickbacks.

Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said in a statement yesterday that “airing the facts will confirm that our conduct, including rebating programs like those the government now challenges, was lawful and appropriate.’’

“We look forward to the opportunity to present our evidence in court,’’ Goodrich said.

The federal lawsuit details an elaborate program by Johnson & Johnson and Omnicare to allegedly convince nursing home physicians to prescribe Risperdal. The suit contains internal company documents and e-mails, including one from 1999 in which Omnicare offered J & J’s sales team a list of nursing home physicians who had been resistant to prescribing the antipsychotic.


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Signing Nursing Home Papers - Hidden Agreements

Many seniors entering nursing homes are unwittingly signing away their rights to sue the facilities in the event of neglect or bad medical care, and officials in Washington are seeking to ban what they see as a “hidden” practice.

The seniors are being urged to sign contracts that put disputes in the hands of arbitrators. Advocates say vulnerable elderly patients fail to realize they are giving up their rights to bring cases of slipshod treatment before a judge and jury.

“It gives the nursing home carte blanche to abuse these elderly people because they won’t have to answer to it” in court, said Marlene Owens of South Easton, who successfully challenged an arbitration agreement signed by her “delusional” elderly stepfather in 2003

She is now suing his former nursing home over bad care.

The Boston Sunday Herald reported yesterday that nearly 40 percent of the state’s nursing homes performed significantly below average, according to annual inspections, and that numerous residents suffer abuse and neglect or receive shoddy care. The Bay State nursing home population is about 45,000.

Nursing homes here and nationwide are pressing residents to sign the arbitration agreements - often tucked away in thick and complex admission packages - lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Barney Frank are weighing government action, but the easiest thing to do is don't sign any nursing home papers unless you read them very carefully.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Stay Active & Alert to Fight Dementia/Alzheimer's

Laura Kennedy from WDIO.com tells us:

"2011 is the year the first baby boomers hit age 65, which is entering the age of increasing risk of dementias of any kind," said Esther Gieschen, Regional Director of the Alzheimer's Association.

Gieschen says more cases are also popping up because of new treatments and cures for other illnesses. "The irony is the treatments we have for other diseases are helping us live long enough to get this one," she said.

The seminar also addressed a common misconception that our brains simply deteriorate as we get older. Neuroscientist Janet Fitzakerley says new research proves aging brains are more than capable of staying strong and sharp.

"Your brain is all about connections between the cells," she said. "The more connections you make and the more different ways they have to function, the more circuits you make. If you lose one circuit, you have another to back you up."

There's no cure for Alzheimer's or dementia. But studies show folks who are "brain healthy" have a reduced risk for developing these diseases.

"Staying mentally active, doing different things, learning new things, keeping a lot of social interactions, not becoming isolated," said Gieschen. "Those things are believed to help."

"Going to art museums, going to theater productions, anything that keeps your brain busy can strengthen those connections," Fitzakerley said. Early detection is critical in Alzheimer's and dementia cases. It won't prevent the disease, but it can make treatment more effective.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524