The Caregiver's Home Companion

The Caregiver's Home Companion has assembled individuals across a wide range of specialties and offers caregivers Ask an Expert where you are encouraged to submit questions and have them answered by their experts.

Each question submitted gets a response authored by a qualified professional, with questions and answers posted in the
Ask an Expert and emailed directly to you.

NOTE!!
http://www.caregivershome.com/ is the Subscription Center for The Caregiver's Home Companion monthly newsletter

The Caregiver's Home Companion: Community

Community

CaregiversHome.com provides you, the caregiver, with Community Forums.

In addition to the topics already under way, you can start a message board of your own on a topic of your choice and watch as other caregivers join in.

If a caregiver is in an emergency situation the person they are caring for is at risk.

Safety Center

Should a caregiver be in an emergency situation the person they are caring for is at risk.

MedicAlert Safe Return from alz.org notifies emergency contacts that the Caregiver is out of action and replacement care is needed ASAP.

The caregiver wears worldwide-recognized ID jewelry to alert
others that he or she provides care for a MedicAlert + Safe Return
member, in case of an emergency

“i care village”

Planetaria owner to launch Web-based resource for elder care – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties - North Bay Business Journal - Archive

Former Microsoft designer and owner of one of the North Bay’s most prominent Web marketing firms, Jamie Spooner, will go live with a new business venture in about three weeks – a comprehensive elder-care Web platform developed as a tribute to her father.

The “i care village” slated to launch Oct. 15 is designed to be the most comprehensive, expert-enriched resource for caretakers of aging parents, serving as both an accredited information center and interactive community of original videos, photos, articles, stories, forums and more.

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“Gold members,” or paid, have added privileges including direct access to screen elder-care experts.

too many growth hormones

Ohio U. wins grant to study aging process - Business First of Columbus:

Ohio University researchers are working with a nearly $2 million National Institutes of Health grant to continue a study examining the effects of growth hormones on the aging process.

The $1.7 million grant, the Athens university said, is one of the largest NIH awards it has received. It’s also one piece of a nearly $9 million project with researchers across the nation.

At Ohio University’s Edison Biotechnology Institute,

Increased risk of falls

Study finds balance issues are widespread in older people - The Boston Globe

In the new study, ear specialist Dr. Yuri Agrawal and her team examined government health data on more than 5,000 Americans ages 40 or older. They found - to their astonishment - that more than one-third (35 percent) had vestibular dysfunction, an inability of the delicate balance system in the inner ear to function properly.

Many people did not know they were at increased risk of falls because they had not yet experienced dizziness or suffered serious falls. Complications from falls are a major cause of death and disability in older people.

Rebound driveway marker

NH_man_turns_a_perennial_problem_into_a_big_idea_product

Boston Globe: Dave Copeland Globe Correspondent / September 28, 2009

"Winter after winter, passing snowplows would snap off the markers that outline Arra David’s long driveway. Or he would scrape against them as he pulled in to park, scratching his car. And if he waited too long to install the markers, pounding them into the frozen turf without breaking them became a problem."

"... stainless steel spring at the bottom of a 4-foot fiberglass reflective rod that was flexible enough to survive plow blades."

"But David, who lives in Manchester, N.H., knew that commercializing a concept isn’t easy. So last year, he turned to Big Idea Group, a Manchester consulting firm that helps companies be innovative, based on consumer feedback."

"Nine months later, David’s hardy markers were on store shelves."

"He now expects the Rebound driveway marker to generate $2 million in sales in its first year."



Big Idea Group: Insights and Innovation to Grow Your Business

BIG is an open source innovation company.
We complement traditional, internal approaches with an effective and efficient open innovation process. Our particular expertise is in insight discovery, innovation generation, and innovation execution.

We have worked with clients on a variety of projects in consumer products and services, and at different stages of the innovation process. Whether a company wants to hire us from insight discovery to on-shelf product, or for just one segment of development, BIG's open innovation resources and processes will powerfully augment internal efforts.

BIG was launched in 2000. It is partially owned by WPP, one of the world's largest communications service groups.

i-KnowHowOnline.com site

You may find i-KnowHowOnline.com useful

Categories

* Family
o Babies
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o Family Tree
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o Apple iPhone
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* Travel
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o Travel Deals
o Travel Tips

"sandwich generation," Basically, it's a bummer,

More adult children support cash-strapped parents - The Mercury Life: Pottstown, PA and The Tri County areas of Montgomery, Berks and Chester Counties (pottsmerc.com)

Retirees are facing massive health care costs. They're living longer, so retirement funds are being depleted. And now rising prices, for everything from food to gas and heating oil, are only making matters worse.

Recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau found that the number of parents who've moved into their adult children's homes increased 67 percent, from about 2.1 million in 2000 to 3.6 million last year.

Other children are supporting parents who live in a separate home and who, in some cases, aren't even of retirement age.

Caregivers Face Role Reversal

Adult Children Caring for Aging Parents Face Role Reversal in Lorain, Ohio | senior home care Lorain Ohio (OH), Elder home care Lorain Ohio (OH), homecare Lorain Ohio (OH)

With all these added stressors, experts emphasize the importance of caretakers looking after their own physical and emotional health. “You can’t take care of someone else without taking care of yourself first,” agrees Bitner. This involves getting help from others, whether it be from siblings, a support group or a health care service.

The staff at Visiting Angels understands this need. The company provides non-medical caregivers who go into clients’ homes to offer companionship, do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping — all services that can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.

“You can be confident that your caregiver is qualified and has excellent references,” says Bitner. The company hires only experienced caregivers who pass a rigorous screening process. They also look for intangible traits such as a caring personality. Many of the company’s caregivers are former hospital staffers looking for the opportunity to do one-on-one personal care.

“We work with each family to develop an individualized program to manage the daily needs of the client and then match those needs to the best possible caregiver,” explains Bitner. Caregivers are then introduced to the family, who has the final say in the selection process.

Once the caregiver has been placed in the home, Visiting Angels continues its personalized contact through telephone check-ins and home visits to make sure the match is a good one.

Visiting Angels has senior homecare agencies in most states. For more information on the office nearest you, visit their Web site at www.visitingangels.com or call (800) 365-4189.

Courtesy of ARA Content Jeff & Robin Donnelly Visiting Angels

Your Caregiving Journey: a internet talk radio show

Your Caregiving Journey, with Denise Brown, delves into discussions about your caregiving situations. Each week, a topic related to the challenges of eldercare.
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BlogTalkRadio is a provider of thousands of internet talk radio shows.

the Alzheimer's Roller Coaster the slow journey into the Alzheimer's Twilight Zone.

Thoughts from the Roller Coaster by LCC Metairie, Louisiana

LCC shares her thoughts, feelings and ideas on a long, slow journey on the Alzheimer's Roller Coaster into the Alzheimer's Twilight Zone.

A very personal EOADer's journal by a woman sharing her daily life while dealing with Early Onset Alzheimer's. I became aware of LCC while reading her valuable contributions to cargiver discussions on the AD Message Boards

Long Distance Caregiving, by Heritage Elder Law & Planning, P.L.C

Solutions to Long Distance Caregiving « Heritage Elder Law & Planning

It is becoming increasingly common for family members to provide care to a loved one from a distance. This is an inevitable result of the shift from the days when families were multigenerational in the same area (or sometimes the same house!) to the modern trend where the family members are distant from one another. Hence, it is not uncommon to find a child from a different area or state being responsible for an aging parent or parents.

With the distance approach, however, comes a unique set of problems. The distant caregiver cannot generally take the proper amount of time to care for the loved one. This is especially true as the care needs increase over time. The caregiver increasingly relies upon telephone contact with medical and other professionals to meet the needs of the loved one.

Inside the heart and coronary vessels

Software gives detailed artery view - The Boston Globe

Boston Scientific Corp. updated version of an ultrasound-imaging software designed to provide physicians more accurate 360-degree view inside the heart and coronary vessels than is possible with angiography alone is not approved for US sale at this time

The imaging system has functions meant to improve the diagnosis process and cut down the time needed, including a feature called iMap that gives a color analysis of plaque in patients.

Loosing contact, personal letter is a thing of the past

The personal letter is quickly becoming a thing of the past - The Boston Globe

Last lines
As the longtime practice of writing personal letters by hand to family and friends is quickly becoming a thing of the past in the age of cellphones, text messaging, and e-mails, Globe writer Milton J. Valencia sat down and penned his own letter to the lost art.
By Milton J. Valencia
Globe Staff / September 20, 2009

CyberspaceSeniors Roundtable Discussions

CyberspaceSeniors Roundtable a Google Group | Google Groups

CyberspaceSeniors Roundtable

This is a Google On-Line Discussion Group

Conversations, making friends, getting advice, sharing your dreams.
The online meeting place for those who have retired and for those thinking of retiring.

Moving Aging Family Member into Your Home .. sure?

Joy Loverde addressed Moving Aging Parents into Your Home on the EldercareABC Blog

Joy's information is applicable if you were to substitute "Aging Parents" with Brother, Sister, In law, Relative. What can start as a loving arrangement can turn very sour as we age and what was done on a handshake is hammered by fading memories, assumptions, and unforeseen changes in the needs of everyone.

Verbal contracts are bound to be regretted. After you read Joy's excellent article do not do anything until you have had a family meeting with a elder affairs attorney and review every point she raises. Then put the results in writing with signatures of the principles and your attorney. There is nothing so difficult as a house guest who comes to live in your home without a written agreements, who won't accept consequences of lifes changes, your health needs, your needing to relocate, selling your home and all the emotional, financial and other dynamics of living together.

Don't skip any of Joy's questions or suffer the consequences. They are available on line.

Dave Mainwaring.
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Moving Aging Parents into Your Home Are you sure?
Sep. 17th, 2009 By Joy Loverde

"When times are tough, like they are now, sometimes well meaning caregivers of aging parents insist that their parents Moving aging parents, eldercare, senior helpmove in with them without full consideration of what can happen. The most serious stories include elder abuse and neglect, the fastest growing crime in America today. The arrangement of sharing one’s home with aging parents often stirs ambivalent feelings for everyone involved."

"We mean well when we ask our loved ones to move in with us; but we may not realize the potential negative consequences – emotionally, financially and otherwise. For example, if parents move in and contribute to the cost of remodeling the house to accommodate their needs, do they gift their portion of the house to the caregiving child? How do siblings feel about this financial arrangement? Should parents have a contract in which they pay the children for caring for them? How does this living arrangement affect a person’s eligibility for Medicaid?"

"I’d like every caregiver who is currently thinking about this under-one-roof lifestyle for them and their aging parents to take a deep, deep breath and proceed cautiously and slowly. If you have already exhausted the multitude of senior-housing options I offer in my book, The Complete Eldercare Planner, and you have made the decision that combining households is the best option, then promise me before anything else that you’ll take a family consensus as the final checklist before the move."
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She is 1000% on target when she said:
The arrangement of sharing one’s home with aging parents is not for the faint at heart. If you succeed, you are beating the odds!

IF women only knew how to get their due from retirement

Women and Retirement

Linney Frank Bailiey wrote this piece as part of the 2009 The Irvine Foundation California Politics and Policy Fellowship program administered by New America Media.

Hounsell, 62, A Georgetown University trained lawyer, she runs the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, or WISER.

"Frequently, Hounsell said, women are unaware of their rights to some of their spouse’s retirement income, or they don’t want to appear greedy by pursuing it."

For more information, visit www.wiserwomen.org.

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"New America Media is the country's first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. Over 51 million ethnic adults connect to each other, to home countries and to America through 3000+ ethnic media, the fastest growing sector of American journalism."

"Founded by the nonprofit Pacific News Service in 1996, NAM is headquartered in California with offices in New York and Washington D.C., and partnerships with journalism schools to grow local associations of ethnic media."

http://ow.ly/15Psog

LifeCare, consultations by Matt Burns

LifeCare, Alzheimer’s Assoc. offering consultations - Business First of Columbus:

The Central Ohio branch of the Alzheimer’s Association is moving from knocking on doors to opening its own through a new partnership with Columbus’ LifeCare Alliance.

The association and LifeCare, which runs the Meals on Wheels program among other services, this month began a program offering free consultations to individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s or those who believe a family member could have the disease.

In Columbus, the groups are hosting five consultations a month at churches, senior centers and community centers, while several other nearby counties will have similar consultations set up on a less frequent basis, association CEO Michelle Chippas said.

For the sake of public health

Shortage of doctors hits MetroWest - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

the Massachusetts Medical Society to discuss the primary care shortage.

In its latest survey of state doctors, released this week, the society found shortages of dermatologists, neurologists, urologists, vascular surgeons, OB/GYNs and, once again, the internists and family practioners who make up primary care.

In particular, this year the society found that 40 percent of family care doctors and 56 percent of internists are not accepting new patients, the highest proportions in the study's eight-year history.

Also, this year marks the first appearance of OB/GYNs on the shortage list, exacerbating the lack of internists and family doctors since many women rely on that specialty for routine care.

"With our state health reform initiative, we quickly learned that universal coverage doesn't equate to universal access," said Medical Society President Dr. Mario Motta, referring to a 2006 state law that has achieved insurance coverage for 97 percent of residents but strained the system.

Communication Problems | caregivers of elderly patients

Communication Problems Between Dementia Patients and their Caregivers Can Cause Physical Strain « Home Instead Senior Care of Michigan

by: Bert Copple, Home Instead Senior Care of Michigan

A recent study took a look at how caregivers of dementia patients feel when caring for and transferring their patients. The study, which was done at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, investigates how nurses’ aides at three dementia care facilities in western Sweden feel about person transfers in the workplace and what they do to reduce the physical strain. Although the resident’s weight was hardly a factor in physical strain, Cristina Wångblad, one of the researchers behind the study recently published in the scientific journal Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, found communication problems and misunderstandings to be much more leading causes.

‘The symptoms of dementia are very individual and can vary from one day to the next, and sometimes even from one moment to the next. This makes person transfers in dementia care very demanding for the personnel’, says physiotherapist Cristina Wångblad.

It’s noted that individual-specific knowledge about patients can be useful as well. Caregivers can give, for example, specific vocal queues and pitches, and gestures that are specific to and recognized well by each patient.

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Recommend reading full article.

Home Instead Senior Care of Michigan provides In-Home Non-Medical Care and Companionship for Seniors Living in Michigan

Aging In Place Technology Watch

About | Aging In Place Technology Watch

"Laurie M. Orlov, a tech industry veteran, writer, speaker and elder care advocate, is the founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch, a market research firm that provides thought leadership, analysis and guidance about technologies and related services that enable boomers and seniors to remain longer in their home of choice. In addition to her technology background and years as a technology industry analyst, Laurie is a certified long-term care ombudsman in Florida"

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Categories

* Aging in Place Tech business potential
* assistive technologies
* cognitive and brain fitness
* communication devices
* computers and internet
* contribution and legacy
* dementia care technologies
* games
* games, fun and fitness
* healthcare
* home and remote monitoring
* medication management
* product snapshots
* telehealth and telemedicine

http://www.ageinplacetech.com/user/register

Gerobabble | Diane LeVan's Blog

Gerobabble
Diane LeVan's Blog

Location: San Francisco : CA : United States
A grad student in Clinical Gerontology at Notre Dame de Namur University, currently working onMasters thesis, plus a certificate in grief counseling.

Gerontechnology Start up company

Gerobabble: Gerontechnology: Eldercare-at-home startup seeks beta testers

Maham Daher
Masters in Public Health & MBA
University of California, Berkeley
Haas School of Business

Cell: 617-319-6290
maham_daher@haas.berkeley.edu

A start-up that has begun providing Aging in Place Assessments for Bay Area families.
Of special interest:: technologies to keep people connected to their family (ex. digital picture frames, phones with amplification, etc)

Police warning seniors about phone scam

http://bit.ly/5QGUY
from The MetroWest Daily News | 33 New York Ave. Framingham MA

Police are warning senior citizens and other residents about a telephone scam in which a caller poses as a veterans group representative and asks for donations to be left on the front porch in an envelope for pickup.

The fraud has already been attempted in Hopedale, police say; while no cases have been reported in Hopkinton, similar frauds involving phone calls or the Internet have been attempted before.

"We've been victims of this in the past," Detective Tim Brennan said.Police say fraudulent callers often incorporate anniversary dates like Sept. 11 into their pitches and are asking residents to scrutinize suspicious solicitations.

Police are also warning residents not to wire money unless confident of its destination, and to never give out Social Security numbers, bank accounts, personal information and donations like cash that can't be easily accounted for or traced.

Is It Depression? by Mikol Davis, Psychologist

"Feeling low doesn’t have to be a permanent part of getting older. There are many elders who are able to take aging in stride, and accept the many limitations that accompany getting along in years. Aging is frequently marked by losses. Loss of spouses, siblings and friends, as well as losses of physical strength and abilities can lead to sadness. The sadness associated with loss can lessen with time."
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read full article
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Health.Care.Coach-.Elder.Care.Management.800-240-0908

Health Care Coach- Elder Care Management
8311 NW 24 Ct.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
800-240-0908

Interpersonal discussions about caregiving needs and plan for a future

Generational Issues Challenge Family Caregiving Pamela D. Wilson,

"... how do we balance interpersonal discussions about caregiving needs and plan for a future when we will need care?

One generational challenge is varying life focus; family and loyalty versus money and self centeredness. Finding common ground to discuss aging and what each one of us wants the aging process to look like spiritually, financially, emotionally and physically will help generational differences narrow and promote commonality.

As we age and life events occur, many of us participate in rationalization. By this we offer an explanation to justify an action or event which may be based on an excuse and not rational thought. For example, your parent may not want to go to a senior center because the building is filled with old people. While they are old themselves, saying this allows them to avoid the reality that they are similar in any way to the old people attending the senior center. This defense mechanism allows us to make irrational choices and justify them to ourselves.

It is important to be honest with ourselves about our reasons for doing or not doing something, especially if we are avoiding a situation. When considering each decision we make and how it affects those around us we can create an environment that works together, so that in the event that we need help we can rely on those around us to support us in making practical, rational plans."

< Read the article ! >

Pamela D. Wilson, The Care Navigator, provides consulting, planning and education for families and individuals experiencing transitions in health care. Visit http://www.thecarenavigator.com for information or call 303-810-1816. Receive free education and tips at http://www.thecarenavigatorblog.com
Published at http://www.7books.comFree Articles

Healthy Diet Plan For ElderCare

Looking For a Healthy Diet Plan For Your Senior?
Article Marketer Author: Carrie Tucker

When caring for seniors, a healthy diet is one of the best ways to improve their quality of life. A wide variety of whole foods is best for everyone.

When dealing with a senior who is very attached to their comfort foods, you need to take into consideration that it is hard to change a long standing habit.

Another issue to consider is how well they are able to chew their foods. This may be something that they don't like to talk about, or it may be a challenge you are well aware of.

Healthy Diet Plans are about what to avoid as much as they are about what to eat. Since whole foods are desired, emphasize whole food and avoid processed foods. You may find that very challenging since many comfort foods may be processed, depleted, sugary and salty foods.

Your senior needs whole, nourishing foods that are NATURALLY sweet and flavorful. Of course they have to be in on the plan if you want to succeed. Do whatever you can to inspire them to make changes that will benefit them.

The term "processed foods" refers to any processing that would make a food less wholesome or harmful. Remember these 10 tips to guide your senior's healthy diet plan.
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Article is recommended reading.
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About the Author
Carrie Tucker is a health expert you can trust. She has many years of experience helping people reclaim their health, and take better care of their ailing patients. . Heart Failure Solutions can give you insight into how YOU can help yourself, and those you care for.

Everyone Over 80 Should Be On Facebook

3 Reasons Everyone Over 80 Should Be On Facebook
from
HealthBridge's In-Home Care Blog

"HealthBridge's In-Home Care Blog covers all aspects of family caregiving support - How-To Articles, Caregiving Tips, Alzheimer's Care and more."

"1. Long Lost Connections Return. It's true. As soon as you sign up for Facebook, you reconnect with someone from high school. If your graduating class consisted of ten kids, I'll guarantee at least one of them sends you a friend request on day one. People love connections - especially long lost connections. A reconnection with an old friend or an out of touch relative will make your loved one's day."

"2. Baby Pictures. Octogenarians have grandkids and great grandkids. The fact is, most new parents nowadays haven't "developed" a picture in a decade. The pictures of their kids aren't in albums on shelves, they're in albums online. Each time the great grandkids do something cute, their parents post the pic on Facebook for their friends. Your loved ones will absolutely love to check in every day and see the new pictures."

"3. Facebook Promotes Brain Health. Well, not just Facebook, but new and interesting activities do improve the brain. As we've written about before, octogenarians who spend time on new activities ward off mental decline better than others. It's likely that Facebook and the internet will be a new, challenging activity for your mom or dad...which is a good thing. They'll have a compelling reason to return (did I mention baby pictures) and they'll stay sharp while they learn."

"So, open up Facebook and help your loved ones create an account. While you're at it, become a fan of HealthBridge. Our online elder care community has over 200 members now, which goes to show you, Facebook is not just for kids anymore."

"Are your octogenarian loved ones on Facebook?"
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NOTE:

"HealthBridge is a Dallas Home Care company designed to help your family simplify the care of your aging loved ones by providing dependable caregivers and impeccable service."

"HealthBridge simplifies senior care by providing families with a library of home care resources including the Dallas In-Home Care Guide. "

Surgery and Recovery Tips

Elder Care ABC » Eldercare Surgery and Recovery Tips

Always have an advocate when you enter the hospital.

Make sure your advocate has the tools and information to be effective.

Complete a power of attorney for healthcare.

Take control of your recovery.

Share what you did to prepare at EldercareABCblog.com.

Pain In ederly often undiagnosed

Pain In People With Dementia Often Undiagnosed

Laurie Wang
University of Alberta how to identify when an elderly person is experiencing pain - and receive treatment sooner rather than later.

The University of Alberta's Cary Brown, PhD, has a new tool to help. She has developed an online workshop and toolkit for caregivers, health-care providers, family members and friends of people with dementia.

The researcher from the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine created an evidence-based website with a narrated presentation on pain and dementia, a downloadable resource pack for family members, a downloadable pain log and a facilitator's toolkit with background material, a planning guide, promotional material and supplemental information for organizations who wish to put on a workshop.

The online workshop and toolkit are available at: http://www.painanddementia.ualberta.ca

"Private" Insurance companies are denying coverage for ostomy supplies

reason given is that medical supplies are not covered and ostomy supplies are medical supplies.
--------------------
http://www.phoenixuoaa.org/OstomySupplies.html

Health insurance is often paid for, at least in part, by contributions from one's employer or family member's employer. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act governs coverage by such policies, but coverage of ostomy supplies is not mandated. It is left up to individual states to determine what will or will not be covered within that state. There is only one state, Connecticut, which has a law mandating coverage of ostomy supplies by all comprehensive medical plans sold in the state.

There are three main types of health insurance plans: preferred provider plans (PPOs), health maintenance organization (HMO) and traditional or indemnity plans. Whichever type of plan you have, if you are not a Connecticut resident, there is no guarantee ostomy supplies are covered or that coverage will continue.

If your insurance is provided through an employer, it is likely that it is a standard policy and the employer is totally unaware whether or not the policy covers ostomy products. This is probably also the case if you obtain your insurance through some other group or association.

Coverage Cancelled

In recent years, insurers are advising their plan holders that they are no longer going to pay for ostomy supplies. The most common reason given is that medical supplies are not covered and ostomy supplies are medical supplies. Usually, when the insured explains the necessity of ostomy supplies, they are not met with much understanding.

The most that they achieved was a delay before the insurer stopped paying for the supplies. Often, the insurer has suggested that when the contract is next renewed, the employer could have a "rider" added to the policy that would add ostomy coverage; this would, of course, be at an additional cost.

Even when the insurer is made aware of the situation and is sympathetic, getting something done to correct it seems to take years rather than months!

When coverage is not coverage

There are also a number of ways in which some insurance plans theoretically pay for ostomy supplies, but in effect this coverage is of no or minimal benefit:

High Deductibles : In some cases, there is a deductible specifically applied to medical supplies or to durable medical equipment, orthotics, prosthetics and medical supplies (DMEPOS). If you do not use much in the way of other DMEPOS items, the deductible may be higher than your annual expenditure on ostomy products and the insurer will therefore pay for none of them.

Designated Suppliers L Some plans restrict beneficiaries to one or two suppliers with whom they have negotiated low payment levels. This can also mean that only a restricted range of products is available.

High Co-Payments: Some plans not only have a high deductible, but may also require a high co-payment on each order of ostomy supplies.

Utilization Restrictions: Sometimes, plans restrict usage to levels well below what is allowed by Medicare and what many people need each month.


Low Fee Schedule : Historically, the fees paid by private insurers for ostomy products have been close to the fees paid by Medicare. However, some policies are now paying as little as 60% of Medicare fee levels. In such cases, the cost to a supplier would therefore be higher than what the insurer would be paying for them.

For one insurer, there is not a single supplier within a whole state that will be willing to supply at an insurer's payment levels. The only reason for an out-of-state company to provide ostomy products under such circumstances is that they are a 'loss leader' that enables them to also supply other products that are more profitable. This, plus their distance from their customers, means that they are unable to support people who have recently had their surgery and need to try different product samples and often will only provide only the cheapest ranges of products!

Home Health Care Agencies the Next Business "Bubble?"

The Deli

Are Home Health Care Agencies the Next Business "Bubble?"
Ads for Home Health Care agencies are all over the Classifieds sections of local newspapers these days. Not only are these businesses wanting you to hire their caregivers to assist you our your loved one at home, they want YOU to work for them! Suddenly, the market for Certified Nurses' Aides (CNAs) is huge, and training sessions are springing up everywhere to prepare those who wish to enter the workforce in this capacity.

pack rats

'Gomi yashiki' pack rats seen as growing problem among elderly | The Japan Times Online

In many cases, seniors living along amass piles of old items until they overflow their property and extend onto public thoroughfares.

Dealing with Incontinence, products

Discover information and advice for caregivers of those with incontinence - TENA

What would you like to know about caring for someone with incontinence?

Understanding and discussing bladder weakness can be the first step to successfully managing it. So we’ve pulled together some useful information to help you and your loved one get incontinence into perspective and under control.

Product Finder

Ms. Jacobson's article titled, Medical Issues and Terminology in Long Term Care

Medical Issues and Terminology in Long Term Care

Shay Jacobson, RN, MA
Lifecare Innovations, Inc.
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
630-953-2155
www.lcius.com

If you would like to read Ms. Jacobson's article titled, Medical Issues and Terminology in Long Term Care, visit the ElderCare Matters Library at www.ElderCareMatters.com/library.

Boston Examiners examine hundreds of topics. http://www.examiner.com/boston

Elder care book review - Family in The Attic by Elizabeth R. Pettiford

“Family in The Attic” is an amazing book and really should be required reading for anyone who has a senior parent, perhaps living alone, but beginning to find it too difficult to keep up their home and their own care. As families of such senior family members find themselves faced with total bewilderment of what to do and where to go, there are many great resources out there to help you...

When doctor prescribes a narcotic painkiller, not to worry about addiction

When the doctor prescribes a narcotic painkiller, dont we…

The concern about painkillers and addiction is actually one of the biggest myths about pain management when it comes to serious diseases like cancer. When someone is in serious pain, pain medication functions differently in the body than when someone who's not in pain takes it. In fact, drug addiction is specifically defined as dependence on opioid medications to satisfy physical, emotional, or psychological needs rather than to deal with medical problems.

Car keys mean freedom, Taking away keys tough but ...

News - newsjournalonline.com

What You Need to Know

Taking the keys away from a parent or loved one with Alzheimer's, dementia or similar diseases can be difficult. Here are tips to make the task easier:

WARNING SIGNS

· They forget how to locate a familiar place and get lost.

· They fail to observe traffic signals and signs.

· They become angry and confused while driving.

HOW TO LIMIT DRIVING

· Ask a doctor to write a "do not drive" prescription.

· Have them tested by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

· Offer to drive or arrange other transportation.

· Have someone the person respects and trusts recommend they stop driving.

· Park the car on another block or in a neighbor's driveway.

· Hide the car keys or disable the car by removing the distributor cap or battery as a last resort.

BE PREPARED

· If the person wanders, he or she can get lost while driving, so register them in the Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return Program. Call 1-888-572-8566 or go online to alz.org and click on "medic alert + safety center" on the right-hand side of the home page.

SOURCE: Alzheimer's Association

What you might expect from Geriatric Care Managers

Geriatric Care Managers – What You Can Expect | dBC-Channel.com
Professional workers who you can approach when it comes to expertise and knowledge in senior issues. They can also be referred to as case managers, elder care managers or service coordinators.

No Kids, Worry

Newsday.com

No kids, no worries? Not necessarily
August 27, 2009 by PAULA GANZI LICATA / Special to Newsday

University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community

http://cac.uindy.edu/

All Things Aging is published by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community (CAC). Entries are submitted by faculty, staff and students and are edited and uploaded by Communications Manager Amy Magan.

CAC works with individuals and organizations to enhance the quality of life for older adults through consultation, education and research. The Center provides outstanding education, raises awareness, promotes best practices, collaborates with partners, and builds organizational and community capacity.

Privacy Rules allows health care providers to share protected information e-mail, or otherwise.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
HIPAA Privacy Rule permit a doctor, laboratory, or other health care provider to share patient health information for treatment purposes by fax, e-mail, or over the phone

Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit a doctor, laboratory, or other health care provider to share patient health information for treatment purposes by fax, e-mail, or over the phone?
Answer:
Yes. The Privacy Rule allows covered health care providers to share protected health information for treatment purposes without patient authorization, as long as they use reasonable safeguards when doing so. These treatment communications may occur orally or in writing, by phone, fax, e-mail, or otherwise.

The Privacy Rule requires that covered health care providers apply reasonable safeguards when making these communications to protect the information from inappropriate use or disclosure. These safeguards may vary depending on the mode of communication used.

Feel closer with voice and video calls

Free internet calls with Skype-to-Skype calls

Free calls It’s what Skype is made for.

Using Skype to call another person who also has Skype is totally free. Yep, absolutely nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch

You’ve downloaded Skype, and so has your friend. Now you can get started on the really cool stuff – such as making completely free and great quality calls from your computer. That’s the great thing about Skype, you can use your internet connection and turn your computer into an internet phone and make free Skype-to-Skype calls.

You and your friend will need to have a headset (or use your computer’s built-in microphone and speakers) to talk to each other. You can really improve the sound quality of your calls with a headset, or take your calls to the next level with free video calls.

You can also use Skype to make terrific value calls to phones and mobiles.