Category Archives: News

Oct 4 & 5: Discovering Ourselves Wiser

You are invited…. Discovering Ourselves Wiser Using Our Wisdom for Our World How the co-learning happens Your years count. As Mentor, Sage, Poet you have something of great value to share. Gather with other people who are putting their experience … Continue reading

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Laughter + Music: for dementia better than drugs?

Friends– Take a look at this from the Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/laughter-and-music-better-than-drugs-for-dementia-patients-20130802-2r4w9.html In a three-year study they found a weekly dose of songs and laughs, clowns and humor helped as much as psychotropic drugs and anti-depressants, in reducing aggression … Continue reading

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News: renewing our resolve for respecting patient’s wishes

Friends– Here is a Senate hearing on “Renewing the Conversation: Respecting patients’ Wishes and Advance Care Planning” from June 26, 2013. Worth a look. http://www.aging.senate.gov/hearing_detail.cfm?id=344148& :- Doug.

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Observation Status Fact Sheet

Friends– NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) has published this fact sheet on “Observation Status” and how it keeps people on Medicare from getting Nursing Home coverage. Read and talk to your Congressman and Senators. :- Doug.

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Study: Costs of caregiving to Employers

MetLife has published a study on the costs to employers of having someone on staff caring for a family member. For instance, the healthcare costs for that employee are 8% higher for those with eldercare responsibilities. Take a look here. … Continue reading

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News: Healthcare cards scam

Friends– There is a new scam making the rounds: “Ma’am, I’m calling from the government. We’re about to send out national medical cards for the new Affordable Care Act. You’re one of the lucky people to get yours first, so … Continue reading

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News: Alzheimer’s “Pacemaker?”

In November, as part of a clinical trial, surgeons at Johns Hopkins implanted a “pacemaker” like device in a person’s brain. Electrical impulses 130 per second are hoped to provide a slowing and maybe even reversal of cognitive decline. Worth … Continue reading

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News about kidney tumors and need for surgery

I hesitate to pass this along. It is only a newspaper article and not medical advice. Are there some diseases, even cancers, that are better left alone? I don’t have any authoritative answer. Ask your doctor. Here’s the article:http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/190928871.html :- … Continue reading

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News: Medicare scam alert!

Stetson Law reports that scammers around the country are calling seniors, claiming to be from the government. They say that your new card is in the mail and to receive your benefits you must give them your bank routing number … Continue reading

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News: denied Medicare home health care benefits?

Here is a packet to help you understand your coverage and appeal a denial of coverage: http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/2013/02/22/self-help-packet-for-expedited-home-health-care-appeals-including-improvement-standard-denials/ :- Doug.

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News: 2012 MetLife survey of LTC costs

Friends– The 2012 MetLife survey of Long-Term Care Costs can be downloaded here: https://www.metlife.com/mmi/research/2012-market-survey-long-term-care-costs.html#keyfindings This is an impartial survey that can help you see the costs in your locality. :- Doug.

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News: More hospice, more ICU

Friends– We’re using both hospice and the ICU more at the end of life. Today there is an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association describing a study with these results. There is a more plain English description … Continue reading

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Taking Responsibility for Death

Friends– “Is there anything you can do here to give me back the life I had last year, when I wasn’t in pain every minute?” Here is an excellent article in the New York Times about an 89 year old … Continue reading

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Nursing Homes: for profit vs not for profit?

Friends– Does it make a difference if the nursing home you are considering is for profit or not for profit? This article says it does, at least in generalities: http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/2012/03/15/non-profit-vs-for-profit-nursing-homes-is-there-a-difference-in-care/ Check it out and see what you think. :- Doug.

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News: Annuity sales person ordered to jail

Friends– Here is a case of elder abuse as a crime, in a common transaction. It says annuity sales people need to be very careful in dealing with older adults: An annuity salesperson has been convicted and ordered to jail … Continue reading

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Don’t use these passwords!

Here are the 25 most (stupid) insecure passwords. http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/111229.aspx Don’t use these passwords! :- Doug.

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Prognosis: if you knew….

Friends– “For an 85 year old patient, with a life expectancy of six years, a frank discussion of prognosis might result in “a significant reordering of health priorities,” said Alexander K. Smith. “For example, maintaining mobility, putting financial affairs in … Continue reading

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