A newsbasket is on-line Internet publication containing comprehensive aggregated collections of information.


Saturday, December 11, 2010

Good food is everybody's business!

GoodFood World (GoodFoodWrld) on Twitter
GoodFood World
@GoodFoodWrld Seattle WA USA
Good food is everybody's business!
http://www.goodfoodworld.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Non-Emergency Government 311 Phone Services

311 Telephone Services

Non-Emergency Government 311 Service has been approved by the US Government as a 3-digit dedicated phone number to reach important government services from any location and at any time.

Simply dial 311 from any telephone and you will reach various non-emergency services thru out the nation.

311 is a simple, easy-to-remember telephone number which connects citizens with specially-trained city customer service representatives. They are ready to help you with your City service requests

Since 311 is a relatively new service not all localities offer 311 service at this time, especially lesser populated areas. However, its use is rapidly gaining momentum as more and more local agencies are offering it.

Things To Look for in a Retirement Home

5 Things to Look for in a Retirement Home
good article on www.smartmoney.com
"Continuing care retirement communities are probably the best prepared to deal with healthcare issues that arise as one gets further on in their golden years. This type of community hosts independent living quarters, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. That way, if a resident's health deteriorates, he or she could get the proper treatment without changing facilities. 'There will come a day when [a patient] will need [in-house, health] services,' says Holohan. 'You don't want...to change homes three or four times.'"

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Paying for the ‘Institutionalized Spouse’ By CRAIG REAVES

Paying for the ‘Institutionalized Spouse’ - The New Old Age Blog - NYTimes.com
Paying for the ‘Institutionalized Spouse’
By CRAIG REAVES
Craig Reaves.Craig Reaves.

Craig Reaves, past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, practices in Kansas City, Mo., and on occasion fields questions from New Old Age readers. You may submit your question to newoldage@nytimes.com. Please limit your inquiries to general legal issues; Mr. Reaves can’t offer personal legal advice.
Q.

What happens when one half of a married couple is retired and in need of expensive nursing home care while a younger spouse is still working and earning income? Are there options for protecting any of the income or accumulated wealth (such as retirement accounts) of the younger spouse? Or does it all have to go to pay for the care of the one who’s ill?


Saturday, July 31, 2010

Massachusetts, Elder home care programs have been cut

MetroWest feels pinch of local aid cuts - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News
Elder home care programs have been cut by $21.7 million over the last three fiscal years, a 14 percent cut when adjusted for inflation that results in approximately 2,500 fewer frail elders receiving community-based long-term care services that allow them to stay in their homes. There are now more than 2,700 elders each month on a waiting list for home care, the policy center report says.

Copyright 2010 The MetroWest Daily News. Some rights reserved


Monday, July 5, 2010

Lotsa Helping Hands A service of Alzheimer's Association

Lotsa Helping Hands - Coordination Service
Lotsa Helping Hands is a private, web-based caregiving coordination service that allows family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to create a community and assist with the daily tasks that become a challenge when caring for an aging loved one or during long-term caregiving.

Alzheimer's Association Each community includes an intuitive group calendar for scheduling tasks such as coverage or transportation to medical appointments, a platform for securely sharing vital medical, financial, and legal information with designated family members, and customizable sections for posting photos, well wishes, blogs, journals, and messages.

Now, when someone asks “what can I do to help?” the answer is “give me your name and email address” – the system takes over and allows people to sign up and start helping.


Saturday, June 26, 2010

Fell On Floor and Can't Get Up, how to help

About Human Kinetics
Human Kinetics, mission is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives.

Human Kinetics is committed to providing quality informational and educational products in the physical activity and health fields that meet the needs of our diverse customers.
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So you or your caring partner fell and is having trouble getting back up.

Here is an edited excerpt from Health Professionals’ Guide to Physical Management of Parkinson’s Disease
found on http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/assisted-floor-transfer-techniques-for-patients-with-parkinsons-disease


"Assisted floor transfer techniques for patients with Parkinson's Disease
By Miriam P. Boelen, PT"

"Assisted Floor Transfer Techniques"

When the caregiver helps the patient up from the floor, both must be kept safe. If this is not possible, additional help such as a medical alert system may be needed. If possible, the gait belt should be snug for better leverage.

Transfers should be coordinated between the patient and caregiver to ensure simultaneous maximal effort and to minimize strain on both. The caregiver can accomplish this by giving instructions such as “On the count of three try rolling onto your hands and knees” or “On the count of three try to stand up.” Because of Parkinsonian symptoms, the patient may not initiate movement at the count of three.

The caregiver should be advised of this possibility so that she or he can delay giving assistance until the patient starts. Coordination of effort will avoid placing excessive strain on the caregiver. Caregivers should be encouraged to use optimal lifting body mechanics. .....

* Assisted side lying to hands-and-knees position. The optimal hand placement of the caregiver is to position one hand under the bottom hip and the other hand under the gait belt. The caregiver pulls up on the patient’s hips as if turning a big wheel (figure 11.6, a and b). The caregiver should flex the knees to facilitate lifting with the legs rather than the back.





* Assisted prone to hands and knees. If the patient has strong arms, the caregiver (with proper body mechanics) can straddle the patient, grab the gait belt, and lean back while pulling up on the belt. At the same time the patient pushes with the arms (figure 11.7). As the patient walks her or his hands backward, the caregiver walks backward and guides the hips into the all-fours position.


* Assisted half kneeling to standing. The caregiver stands on the side of the patient that requires greater support. This positioning allows the patient to assist with his or her strongest side, which reduces difficulties in general. The caregiver places one hand on the gait belt and the other arm under the patient’s axilla (figure 11.8).

What to Do After a Fall

Patients often want to get up from the floor immediately after a fall. This desire may be due to the embarrassment of falling or their concern about their ability to get up. Sometimes patients do not think about the fact that after they have fallen, they cannot fall any farther and should be in no hurry to get up. Bystanders occasionally offer a helping hand, but their help may cause greater destabilization or irritate an already arthritic joint. Educating the patient about how to guide bystanders will help minimize these problems. Here are some general guidelines about what to tell your patient:

1. Do not try to get up right away.

2. Before attempting to get up, mentally note whether any areas feel injured. If you suspect injury, seek medical attention.

3. Attempt to relax for a moment before getting up.
.....

5. Before attempting to get up, someone should bring a chair close to you if needed so that you can use it for support to get up.

6. An additional chair could be placed behind you if you have difficulty turning. After you are standing, you can sit on the chair without having to turn.

This is an brief excerpt from Health Professionals’ Guide to Physical Management of Parkinson’s Disease. found on http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/assisted-floor-transfer-techniques-for-patients-with-parkinsons-disease





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A gait belt is a device used to transfer people from one position to another or from one thing to another. For example you would use a gait belt to move a patient from a standing position to a wheelchair. The gait belt is customarily made out of cotton webbing and a durable metal buckle on one end. The gait belt is worn around a patient's waist. The purpose for this is to put less strain on the back of the care giver and to provide support for the patient
--
Points to Remember: More than one caregiver may be needed. Belts with padded handles are easier to grip and increase security and control. Always transfer to resident's strongest side. Use good body mechanics and a rocking and pulling motion rather than lifting when using a belt. Belts may not be suitable for ambulation of heavy residents or residents with recent abdominal or back surgery, abdominal aneurysm, etc. Should not be used for lifting residents. Ensure belt is securely fastened and cannot be easily undone by the resident during transfer. Ensure a layer of clothing is between residents' skin and the belt to avoid abrasion. Keep resident as close as possible to caregiver during transfer. Lower bedrails, remove arms and foot rests from chairs, and other items that may obstruct the transfer

Thursday, June 10, 2010

News from Pleasantries Adult Day Services June 2010

Babies evoke a positive emotional response in most older adults. When our guests are able to hold a baby, their day is better. The interaction is priceless.The smiles shared and the sweet baby talk create a happy environment. We are lucky to have guests whose grand-children visit us.
Evie holding Jackson, Leslie's grandson
We have multiple days where children will visit and interact with our guests.
Intergenerational activity is mutually beneficial. While the children experience diminished fear of an older adult and enjoy the contact with our guests, the guest experiences a sense of increased self-worth, and an improved emotional state. My guests are able to carry the positive emotions throughout their day.
Arthur holding Jackson, Leslie's  grandson.
Now we know what has been eating our lillies!
Deer in our yard
At the breakfast table, my guest, Ann said, "There are two animals in the yard." As I looked out, I was amazed to find two deer grazing. We went out on the deck and I was able to capture them on camera as they leaped away. Pretty awesome!

Tammy Pozerycki
Owner & Director


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Better Care of the Dying

ABCD-CARING - Americans for Better Care of the Dying - Main Page
Every dying person needs to be able to count on excellent care. Americans for Better Care of the Dying (ABCD) aims to improve end-of-life care


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Age Strong! Live Long! May is Older Americans Month

http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Index.aspx

Older Americans Month Archive
May is Older Americans Month
History of Older Americans Month

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthdays. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing, however. In April of 1963, President John F. Kennedy's meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens served as a prelude to designating May as "Senior Citizens Month."

Thanks to President Jimmy Carter's 1980 designation, what was once called Senior Citizens Month, is now called "Older Americans Month," and has become a tradition.

Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs and other such activities.

Past Older Americans Month Themes

* 1978 - Older Americans and the Family
* 1984 - Health: Make it Last a Lifetime
* 1985 - Help Yourself to Independence
* 1986 - Plan on Living the Rest of Your Life
* 1992 - Community Action Begins with You: Help Older Americans Help Themselves
* 1993 - No theme selected (proclamation signed on May 25, 1993)
* 1994 - Aging: An Experience of a Lifetime
* 1995 - Aging: Generations of Experience
* 1996 - Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity
* 1997 - Caregiving: Compassion in Action
* 1998 - Living Longer, Growing Stronger in America
* 1999 - Honor the Past, Imagine the Future: Towards a Society for All Ages
* 2000 - In the New Century. . . . The Future is Aging
* 2001 - The Many Faces of Aging
* 2002 - America: "A Community for all Ages"
* 2003 - What We Do Makes A Difference.”
* 2004 - Aging Well, Living Well
* 2005 - Celebrate Long-term Living
* 2006 - Choices For Independence
* 2007 - Making Choices for a Healthier Future
* 2008 - Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities
* 2009 - Living Today for a Better Tomorrow
* 2010 - Age Strong! Live Long!


Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Caregiving in the U.S. 2009

Caregiving in the U.S. 2009
By: National Alliance for Caregiving in Collaboration with AARP; Funded by The MetLife Foundation | December 2009


Monday, May 3, 2010

How to make a visit to the physician easier for AD patient.

Pleasantries Adult Day Services - Marlboro, Massachusetts - Alternative Alzheimer’s care
Tammy Pozerycki
Owner & Director

Writes in a
Pleasantries A.D.S. newsletter:
It is important that your loved one with Alzheimer's disease have regular visits to his or her physician. These visits should address all medical and behavioral issues which may be related to Alzheimer's disease. In order to experience a productive appointment with the physician, try the following suggestions:

* Choose a "good" time of day for the appointment time (most likely morning will be best.)

* Bring along an activity that your loved one enjoys (books, sorting activity, coloring, etc) as well as a snack and water. This will prepare you for an unexpected wait time.

* Bring a list of all medication including over-the-counter. Create a list of questions in preparation of the minimal time available with the doctor.

* Depending on your situation, it may be helpful to bring someone else with you, such as a close friend or family member.

* Discuss what you can expect for the future and advance directives.

* It is good to take notes as there will be much discussed in a short amount of time.

* Be open and honest. If you are not happy or satisfied with the physician, make he or she aware of your concerns. Switching physicians can be confusing to your loved one and possibly detrimental in the longrun. If discussed, the issues may be resolved.


Sunday, April 25, 2010

“if you want to die, get better and die at home.”

A Graying Population, a Graying Work Force - NYTimes.com
In an aging population, the elderly are increasingly being taken care of by the elderly. Professional caregivers — almost all of them women — are one of the fastest-growing segments of the American work force, and also one of the grayest.

A recent study by PHI National, a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of caregivers, found that in 2008, 28 percent of home care aides were over age 55, compared with 18 percent of women in the overall work force.

The organization projects that from 2008 to 2018, the number of direct care workers, which includes those in nursing homes, will grow to 4.3 million from 3.2 million.


Saturday, April 3, 2010

Caregiver Assitive Technologies {Purdue edu}

Rural Caregivers - Assistive Technology
For caregivers, assistive technology, especially aids for daily living (ADLs), can make a world of difference in the lives of the individuals they care for. Whether it is modified utensils, dressing and grooming aids, or mobility aids, these devices give a person more independence to do tasks they otherwise would not be able to do with out assistance. For caregivers, assistive technology can make the job of caring for a loved one much easier.

There are many places for caregivers to turn for assistance. There are many companies that sell difference assistive devices as well as many professionals who are available to offer advice, share their knowledge and offer technical assistance.



Caregiver Resources http://cobweb.ecn.purdue.edu/~bng/BNG/Caregiving/assistivetech.html


Changing the perception and experience of aging

secondwinddreams
Second Wind Dreams® was formed in 1997, growing out of the work of geriatric specialist P.K. Beville, M.S. who co-authored Second Wind, a novel about people living in a nursing home. Over the last twelve years, SWD has become involved in more than 290 eldercare communities in 40 states, Canada and India. The mission of Second Wind Dreams® (SWD) is simple: through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of innovative educational opportunities to caregivers and communities, SWD seeks to change the perception and experience of aging, empowering elders to age with dignity, hope and joy.

Second Wind Dreams focuses on those living in eldercare communities or in hospice care. These are our seniors who need our assistance most. Family support may be non-existent, money can be at a premium, especially for our Medicaid supported seniors, and these senior adults are often our frailest— the ones who need a dream fulfilled.


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Cohousing, a movement that started in Denmark

Cohousing building momentum in Mass. - The Boston Globe
Cohousing, a movement that started in Denmark in the 1980s, has been steadily spreading from Western Massachusetts into urban areas, and catching on with a new generation of frugal, environmentally conscious folks.

Carbon footprints and tight household budgets weigh on a lot of city dwellers’ minds, its champions point out. Security, safety, and building a sense of community do, too. Cohousing addresses all of these concerns, they maintain. For young adults and parents of growing families, it means a more neighborly way of living than an apartment complex normally offers. For seniors, it often allows “aging in place’’ with members of multiple generations.

Cheaper. Cleaner. More democratic. More congenial. More stimulating. What’s not to like?

“Massachusetts has become one of the hotbeds of cohousing,’’ said Craig Ragland, executive director of the Cohousing Association of the United States. By Ragland’s count, there are 120 established cohousing communities across the country, including preexisting neighborhood complexes retrofitted to the cohousing model.


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

"Healthy Solutions Chat" Tele-Seminar

Healthy Solutions Tele-Seminar
Bring Your Questions and a Friend Every Monday

9pm Eastern, 6pm Pacific Time

The buddy system works for creating positive change in your life!

Every Monday you can get health advice you can trust ...

and the support you need to move consistently toward your health goals.


Saturday, February 6, 2010

NFCA, National Family Caregivers Association

The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships, and life stages to help transform family caregivers' lives by removing barriers to health and well being.

Membership is free to family caregivers, and includes a quarterly, e-mailed newsletter. For those who would rather receive a print copy of the newsletter, NFCA offers an upgraded, Family Caregiver Plus membership at the special introductory rate of $10/year. Click here to join on-line.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Retired? Cleaning products are a mystery under the kitchen sink

Cleanser makers told to come clean - The Boston Globe
Some studies have linked cleaning product components to asthma, antibiotic resistance, hormone changes, and other health problems. ...

Federal environmental laws don’t require most household cleaning products to list their ingredients, though there are congressional proposals to change that. The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires hazard warning labels on some cleansers, and the National Institutes of Health offer some health and safety information for hundreds of cleaning products, drawn from data gathered for industrial use.


Monday, February 1, 2010

Raise your hand if you're a caregiver.

How Can Doctors and Caregivers Work Together?

from: HealthBridge's In-Home Care Blog

Dr. Pauline Chen took an insightful look at this topic in her "Doctor and Patient" column in the New York Times. She writes:

For all our assertions about the importance of caring in what we do, doctors as a profession have been slow to recognize family members and loved ones who care for patients at home. These “family caregivers” do work that is complex, physically challenging and critical to a patient’s overall well-being, like dressing wounds, dispensing medication, and feeding, bathing and dressing those who can no longer do so themselves.

Many of these caregiving tasks were once the purview of doctors and nurses, a central component of the “caring professions.” But over the past century, as these duties increasingly fell to individuals with little or no training, doctors and even some nurses began to confer less importance, and status, to the work of caregiving.


nightmare for those with disabilities who are struggling to stay at home.

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Columns/2010/February/020110Gleckman.aspx

Feb 01, 2010


There are programs run by states and similar projects run out of Washington. This is a particular nightmare for those with disabilities who are struggling to stay at home. If you don’t believe me, try to find a local phone number for elder care assistance.


Sunday, January 17, 2010

The end of the office... and the future of work - The Boston Globe

The end of the office... and the future of work - The Boston Globe


We love to hate the workplace, but we’ll miss it when it’s gone

------------------------------------------------------------------

Work Without Boundaries Networking facilitates working around the world.
http://groups.google.com/group/wwboundaries_network





Communities are ill-prepared to meet the need for senior services

Communities south of Boston face dramatic increase in senior population, demand for elder services - The Boston Globe
“Tomorrow’s seniors are not your father’s grandfathers,’’ said Timothy G. Reardon, senior regional planner for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which analyzed demographic trends including births, deaths, and migration and other factors to forecast the changes in populations. “COAs and other organizations that work with seniors must rethink the types of services they provide. It’s not going to be all meals on wheels and Sunday suppers at the COA hall.’’


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

"Where America Stands" on the growing Alzheimer's epidemic ..

Dr. Jon LaPook CBS alzheimers - Google News
CBS News chief medical correspondent, Dr. Jon LaPook speaks with CBSNews.com's Cali Carlin about "Where America Stands" on the growing Alzheimer's epidemic ..


Sunday, January 10, 2010

Retirees - Seniors: connect family and friends during a serious health event, care and recovery

CaringBridge. A Nonprofit Web Service Providing Free Websites During Critical Illness.
About CaringBridge

CaringBridge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free websites that connect family and friends during a serious health event, care and recovery.

A CaringBridge website is personal, private and available 24/7. It helps ease the burden of keeping family and friends informed. The websites are easy to create and use. Authors add health updates and photos to share their story while visitors leave messages of love and support in the guestbook.


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Service Opportunities After Reaching 55, or Soar 55

Volunteer group opening Framingham office - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
MetroWest Daily News
Posted Jan 09, 2010 @ 12:31 AM
FRAMINGHAM —

A program that matches the talents and interests of residents 55 and older with volunteer opportunities plans to expand from its Newton branch to a new MetroWest satellite office.

Service Opportunities After Reaching 55, or Soar 55, a program of the Newton Community Service Center, has secured permission to use space in Framingham's central library at 49 Lexington St.

The organization will hold an open house Jan. 20 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the library's Costin Room, with existing volunteers discussing their experiences. State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, is scheduled to speak.

Attendees can also meet Lois Levick, the group's new Framingham coordinator.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by sending an e-mail to kalbert@ncscweb.org.

(Michael Morton can be reached at mmorton@cnc.com or 508-626-4338.)