Senior Care Blog

Dear 101ElderCare.com Readers,

Welcome to the Senior Care Newsletter (10/26/2009). In this edition we have included news, articles and videos. You can find more resources on our website: 101ElderCare.com.

Senior Care News

What Is Ectropion? What Causes Ectropion?
Ectropion is a condition where the lower eyelid droops away from the eye and turns outwards. This leaves the inner eyelid surface exposed and prone to irritation. According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary, ectropion is: “Eversion of a free edge; usually applied to the eyelid.” The condition is common and can affect anyone, although men are affected more commonly than women. (More)

Patients In US 5 Times More Likely To Spend Last Days In ICU Than Patients In England
Patients who die in the hospital in the United States are almost five times as likely to have spent part of their last hospital stay in the ICU than patients in England. What’s more, over the age of 85, ICU usage among terminal patients is eight times higher in the U.S. than in England, according to new research from Columbia University that compared the two countries’ use of intensive care services during final hospitalizations. (More)

Supporting IT For Seniors: Researchers Say Designers Can Help Close Tech Gap
While more older adults than ever are using cell phones and computers, a technology gap still exists that threatens to turn senior citizens into second-class citizens, according to Florida State University researchers. Neil Charness, the William G. Chase Professor of Psychology, and Walter R. (More)

Spell In ICU For Terminal Patients 5 Times More Likely In US Than In England
In the US, patients who die in hospital are almost five times more likely to have spent some time during their last hospital stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as equivalent patients in England, according to a new study by researchers from both countries. (More)

Some Seniors Could Be Cushioned From Proposed Cuts In Medicare Advantage Funding
Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz reports on how some seniors would be shielded from planned cuts to the Medicare Advantage program currently included in the Senate Finance Committee’s health overhaul legislation. (More)

Senior Care Articles

Hospice - Are You Kidding Me?
This is an article about hospice and the benefit of having hospice in our world. Hospice is not a place to go and die, it is a concept of care. A wonderful concept of care allowing us to live right up until that moment that death occurs. This author hopes that this article will help readers in their understanding of hospice and the great benefits that may be had. (More)

Why Home Care Services Recommend Personal Information Packs
Personal information may be difficult to remember for elderly individuals in the event of an accident. It is good to have this information readily available for emergency crews. This article provides some great information about what needs to be in these packets. (More)

Caring For an Aging Parent
Thanks to advances in medicine and healthier lifestyles, the life span of older adults in the United States is increasing. The expansion of the elderly population has resulted in a growing number of adults caring for older adults. (More)

The Challenges to the Caregiver When Dealing With End Stage Dementia
End stage dementia is the last of the three stages of dementia. The challenges of this stage are dramatically different for the earlier stages. (More)

Cell phones for the elderly
There left a blank of the cell phone market, what is it? The blank is the cell phones designed for the elderly, but what kinds of cell phones are suitable for the elderly? With too many cel… (More)

The Key to Happiness for Aging Adults in Norwell, Massachusetts : In-Home Care
The key to happiness for many senior citizens is the ability for them to remain living in their own homes. The very idea of moving from the comfort and familiarity of their homes and into assisted li… (More)

This newsletter is provided by 101ElderCare.com.

Dear 101ElderCare.com Readers,

Welcome to the Senior Care Newsletter (10/20/2009). In this edition we have included news, articles and videos. You can find more resources on our website: 101ElderCare.com.

Senior Care News

Minister Brady Opens The National Federation Of Pensioners’ Associations Autumn Conference, Ireland
Aine Brady, T.D., Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, officially opened the Autumn Conference of the National Federation of Pensioners’ Associations. The Federation aims to protect and promote the interests of pensioners and retired persons. During the course of her speech, Minister Brady highlighted a number of items of interest to members of the Federation. (More)

Berkman Wins GSA’s 2009 Donald P. Kent Award
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging - has chosen Barbara Berkman, DSW, PhD, of Columbia University as the 2009 recipient of the Donald P. Kent Award. This distinguished honor is given annually to a GSA member who best exemplifies the highest standards for professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and interpretation of gerontology to the larger society. (More)

Thousands Of Reasons To Support Aged Care Reform, Australia
In excess of 15,000 charters signed by the community and aged care workers calling on the Federal Government to properly fund aged care were handed over to the Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot MP today at Amaroo Aged Care Facility in Tweed Heads. Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) said thousands of concerned people had signed the ANF’s “Charter for Quality Aged Care”. (More)

Dialysis’ Drawbacks Outweigh Benefits for Some Older Patients (HealthDay)
HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14 (HealthDay News) — Dialysis may not be worth undertaking for many older Americans in nursing homes who suffer kidney failure in addition to other ailments, a study finds. (More)

Aggressive treatments for frail elderly questioned (Reuters)
Reuters - Uninformed relatives responsible for the care of advanced Alzheimer patients often seek overly aggressive treatments, and doctors treating frail elderly with kidney failure should be wary of using dialysis, according to two studies reported Wednesday. (More)

Senior Care Articles

Care For Parent - Where to Begin
Finding care for a parent can present a laundry list of challenges. Where do you begin to find care for your parent? Being prepared with general information about your parent’s personal, medical, and insurance information is a part of the process. (More)

How to Get Paid For Being a Family Caregiver
If you’re one of more than 70 million people who provide unpaid caregiving for a family member or friend — either in that person’s home or in your own — you know that the time and energy burden can be enormous. In fact, you may have cut back or given up your paying job. (More)

Searching For Care Homes Online - The Rise of Online Search Tools For the UK
As the broadband revolution continues to unfold, the numbers of people turning to the internet to search for care homes is continuing to increase. A number of online care home search facilities have launched in recent years to help provide users with the information that they need - but at what cost? This article explores the rise of a new type of service, and some of the associated benefits and pitfalls. (More)

Is A Home Share Right For The Person You’re Caring For?
How do you define “home share”? Any arrangement in which nonfamily members live together can be called a home share. If the person you’re caring for wants to stay at home … (More)

Aging In Place Communities Offer Independence And Support
According to AARP, nine out of ten Americans hope to live out their days in their own homes. But as they age, many are faced with a dilemma: They want to remain independent but need at least so… (More)

This newsletter is provided by 101ElderCare.com.

Dear 101ElderCare.com Readers,

Welcome to the Senior Care Newsletter (10/13/2009). In this edition we have included news, articles and videos. You can find more resources on our website: 101ElderCare.com.

Senior Care News

Drop in Certain Visual Skills May Precede Alzheimer’s (HealthDay)
HealthDay - MONDAY, Oct. 12 (HealthDay News) — The ability to perceive relationships between objects (visuospatial skills) may decline years before a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. (More)

States Experiment With Reform, But Gaps Suggest Some National Changes Needed
Vermont scores high marks for a new experiment in coordinating care, as well as the overall quality of its health system. The gap between Vermont and lower performing states, however suggests to some that states may struggle to reform health care on their own. Other reports consider states that have made independent efforts. (More)

Texas Medical Association Urges Cornyn To Continue Fight To Fix What’s Wrong, Keep What’s Good In U.S. Health Care
Tuesday marks the next big milestone in the Great 2009 Health Care Debate. The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on its $829 billion health care bill. The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is urging Sen. John Cornyn to continue the fight to “fix what’s wrong and keep what’s good” in the country’s health care system. (More)

Could vision problems be linked to earlier death? (Reuters)
Reuters - Poor vision is enough a hardship for the elderly. But such vision problems, when they can’t be corrected, also appear to be tied to a shorter lifespan, according to a new study. (More)

Hairstylists Often Privy to Older Clients’ Health Issues (HealthDay)
HealthDay - SUNDAY, Oct. 4 (HealthDay News) — Hairstylists can do more than make their clients look good, they may also be helpful in getting some elderly people the health-care services they need, an Ohio State University study suggests. (More)

Senior Care Articles

What to Look For in Nursing Home For an Alzheimer’s Patient
At some point, most Alzheimer’s patients will spend time in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Whether, the stay is a temporary or permanent in nature, the special needs of Alzheimer’s patients must be recognized and evaluated before the person is placed into a nursing home environment. There are no specific nursing home regulations in place for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. (More)

SSI: Low Income Older Adults May Qualify For Supplemental Security Income
An older adult or disabled person can apply for SSI benefits at any local Social Security office. You can do several things to assist. First, help gather the necessary paperworkMore)

Alzheimer’s and Senile Dementia Home Care - What to Expect When Doing it Yourself
Taking care of your disabled mother, spouse, or loved one is one of the most noble things you can do. You honor the sick one, you honor the family, and you honor yourself. Your show the world that there is someone in the world that loves and cares for that person, and that he/she is a person that deserves respect and dignity. It is an act of selfless commitment in giving of your time and effort, to another who is helpless in this fast paced world we live in… (More)

Long Distance Caregivers - Caring For a Loved One
Being a caregiver while living in another state or city, far away from your loved one is never easy. Some long distance caregivers manage all of the affairs and care for a senior, while others provide… (More)

How To Hire Home Care Help
At-home caregivers generally fall into three categories: certified nursing assistants, personal care attendants. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) have some medical training and must … (More)

This newsletter is provided by 101ElderCare.com.

Dear 101ElderCare.com Readers,

Welcome to the Senior Care Newsletter (10/7/2009). In this edition we have included news, articles and videos. You can find more resources on our website: 101ElderCare.com.

Senior Care News

Age Concern And Help The Aged Respond To The Conservative’s New Home Protection Scheme, UK
Andrew Harrop, Head of Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: ‘We welcome the bidding war between the political parties on how to fix our crumbling care system and hope this signals that care will be central to the political debate in the run up to the next General Election. ‘If these proposals can be made to work at this cost, they could provide huge relief for many older people and their families. (More)

UCSF’s Elizabeth Blackburn Receives Nobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine
Molecular biologist Elizabeth H. Blackburn, PhD, 60, of the University of California, San Francisco, has been named to receive the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Blackburn shares the award with Carol W. Greider of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Jack W. Szostak of Harvard Medical School. The scientists discovered an enzyme that plays a key role in normal cell function, as well as in cell aging and most cancers. (More)

Age Concern And Help The Aged Respond To BMJ Report: Care Home Residents Subject To Drug Errors
Andrew Harrop, Head of Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: “It is shocking that older people are still not receiving the correct help and support to take medication in care homes. Medication is a basic part of care for many older people and is essential to their health and wellbeing. This is just one of the many flaws in the current care system which can have a huge impact on the quality of life for many older people. (More)

Half of U.S. Babies Living Today May Reach 100 (HealthDay)
HealthDay - FRIDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) — If current life expectancy trends continue, more than half of babies born in rich nations since 2000 will live to 100 years of age, and they’ll have less disability than elderly people in previous generations. (More)

Uncertainty Surrounds Testing for Alzheimer’s (HealthDay)
HealthDay - FRIDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) — The earlier a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is made, the earlier treatment can begin. On that, experts agree. (More)

Obese Middle-Aged Women Face Unhealthy Future (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Sept. 29 (HealthDay News) — If excess weight doesn’t kill you by old age, it could make your life miserable in the form of chronic health problems and impaired mental fitness. (More)

Senior Care Articles

Adapting Your Mindset to Dealing With Dementia
Dealing with dementia as a caregiver is not easy, specially if you allow yourself to become a victim of it yourself. By adapting your mindset, you can get a grip on yourself and look more objectively at each given situation. This will allow you to help the loved one more effectively and keep you off the an emotional roller coaster. (More)

Great Tips on How to Transform Part of Your Home Into an Apartment For Your Aging Parents
This article will discuss how many people are now sharing their homes with their aging parents. The economy has been difficult for many people and a lot of people can not afford the price of a retirement home so they are now taking care of their elderly parents at home. This will walk you through how to renovate your home to make a special apartment for that elderly parent. (More)

How A Conservatorship, Or Adult Guardianship, Works
Conservatorship and adult guardianship are essentially the same thing — different states use one name or the other. To keep things simple, we’ll just use the term conservatorship. If someon… (More)

National Aging in Place Week
Aging in Place focuses on the ability of seniors to age in their own homes and communities. National Aging in Place Week increases awareness and provides resources to seniors and their families on issues related to aging in place. (More)

Safe Proofing an Elderly Person’s House
Safe Proofing an Older Person’s House Elderly people who are temporarily or permanently disabled need to feel comfortable and secure in their environment. Take the following steps to help avoid accid… (More)

This newsletter is provided by 101ElderCare.com.

Dear 101ElderCare.com Readers,

Welcome to the Senior Care Newsletter (10/1/2009). In this edition we have included news, articles and videos. You can find more resources on our website: 101ElderCare.com.

Senior Care News

Obese Middle-Aged Women Face Unhealthy Future (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Sept. 29 (HealthDay News) — If excess weight doesn’t kill you by old age, it could make your life miserable in the form of chronic health problems and impaired mental fitness. (More)

Illinois Nursing Homes Mix Seniors And Mentally Ill Patients, Some Criminals
Some Illinois nursing homes create dangerous and unsafe environments by mixing seniors and younger mentally ill residents, the Chicago Tribune reports: “More than any other state, Illinois relies heavily on nursing homes to house mentally ill patients, including those who have committed crimes. (More)

Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Why Health Reform Will Succeed Politico It is the Republicans’ right to choose this course of hard-line opposition. But, just as surely, Democrats are the majority party in Congress. And we have a responsibility to lead (Sen. Tom Harkin, 9/29). (More)

In The Prevention Of Heart Failure, Fish Does Not Take A Major Role
‘No major role for fish’ in the prevention of heart failure; only a possible beneficial effect in those with diabetes The consumption of fish has no major role in the prevention of heart failure, according to results from a large prospective population study. (More)

Health Tip: Choosing a Nursing Home (HealthDay)
HealthDay - (HealthDay News) — If you’re evaluating nursing homes for a loved one, there are many things to consider and a lot of questions to ask. (More)

Senior Care Articles

Care Giving Made Easy
Most all of us are or will be caregivers sometime during our lives. If you assist an injured friend buying medicine, deliver food to an elder from your church, or visit elderly family members - you are a caregiver. Care giving will become a common household term in future years. (More)

Learn more about home health care services
Home health care consists of skilled nursing services provided at home by professionals like physicians, nurses, and therapists. The demand for such services is on the rise. More and more seniors now… (More)

Tips For Choosing a Nursing Home
A careful search of multiple facilities can help you select the best one for your family member’s needs. It can also reduce the anxiety and stress common among people in this complicated situation, by helping you rest assured that your loved one is truly being cared for. (More)

What is Assisted Living?
There comes a point in many of our lives when doing daily chores becomes too much to handle on our own. This doesn’t mean that we are unable to take care of ourselves; it simply means that daily living tasks are more then we can handle. (More)

Personal Health Is Important For Home Care Agency Workers
Working for a home care agency is a physically and emotionally demanding job. You will be caring for the elderly or ill patients in their own homes, and they and their families will be relying on you … (More)

Selecting Locations after Retirement
The retirement brings a great change in one’s life. There are number of moments that are remembered of the work place. The first time and the last time, is the most nostalgia of all. The things tha… (More)

This newsletter is provided by 101ElderCare.com.