Senior Signals: The benefits of adult day care and adult day health care

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Sunday, February 3, 2013 10:59 PM EST

By Daniel O. Tully Attorney

Both adult day care and adult day health care can give caregivers an occasional or a regular respite from caretaking. In the case of caretakers who work outside jobs, it delays permanent long-term care.

Adult day health care provides medical services in addition to activities. Adults with physical and mental disabilities are the primary targets of the program, and the care is intended to help patients relearn the ability to care for themselves. Nursing home care, therapeutic activities, meals and transportation are provided in a safe environment. The activities provided can help improve the mental, physical and emotional well-being of the patient.

Caregivers receive peace of mind that their loved one is having a good experience while they can take a break.

You may be eligible for a home or community-based Medicaid waiver. An experienced elder care attorney can advise you on this and the other issues involved in integrating adult day care and adult day health care into your or a loved ones long-term care plan.

Dementia

Dementia is a progressive brain dysfunction caused by Alzheimers disease, as well as other illnesses such as brain tumors and strokes. Poor nutrition can also be a cause. The frequency of dementia increases with age, with one-third of those older than 90 suffering from it. About one-half of the cases are caused by Alzheimers.

Signs of dementia include forgetfulness (especially short-term memory loss), lack of concentration (including problems with familiar activities), poor judgment, problems communicating (including substituting nonsensical words and phrases) and personality changes (including mood swings, disruptive behavior and loss of initiative).

To help prevent dementia, stimulate your mind regularly by learning new things, doing puzzles and staying mentally and physically active.

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Senior Signals: The benefits of adult day care and adult day health care

SENIOR SIGNALS: Considering Adult day care/adult day health care

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Sunday, February 3, 2013 11:22 PM EST

Daniel O. Tully

Both adult day care and adult day health care can give caregivers an occasional or a regular respite from caretaking. In the case of caretakers who work outside jobs, it delays permanent long-term care.

Adult day health care provides medical services in addition to activities. Adults with physical and mental disabilities are the primary targets of the program, and the care is intended to help patients relearn the ability to care for themselves. Nursing home care, therapeutic activities, meals and transportation are provided in a safe environment. The activities provided can help improve the mental, physical and emotional well-being of the patient.

Caregivers receive peace of mind that their loved one is having a good experience while they can take a break.

You may be eligible for a home or community-based Medicaid waiver. An experienced elder care attorney can advise you on this and the other issues involved in integrating adult day care and adult day health care into your or a loved ones long-term care plan.

Dementia

Dementia is a progressive brain dysfunction caused by Alzheimers disease, as well as other illnesses such as brain tumors and strokes. Poor nutrition can also be a cause. The frequency of dementia increases with age, with one-third of those older than 90 suffering from it. About one-half of the cases are caused by Alzheimers.

Signs of dementia include forgetfulness (especially short-term memory loss), lack of concentration (including problems with familiar activities), poor judgment, problems communicating (including substituting nonsensical words and phrases) and personality changes (including mood swings, disruptive behavior and loss of initiative).

To help prevent dementia, stimulate your mind regularly by learning new things, doing puzzles and staying mentally and physically active.

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SENIOR SIGNALS: Considering Adult day care/adult day health care

Health care reform effort accelerating

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'Exchanges' coming this fall

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

February 03, 2013 2:00 AM

Editor's note: This is the first story in a two-part series that provides an overview of the major changes in health insurance facing Americans under the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

WASHINGTON Buying your own health insurance will never be the same.

This fall, new insurance markets called exchanges will open in each state, marking the long-awaited and much-debated debut of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

The goal is quality coverage for millions of uninsured people in the United States. What the reality will look like is anybody's guess from bureaucracy, confusion and indifference to seamless service and satisfied customers.

Exchanges will offer individuals and their families a choice of private health plans resembling what workers at major companies already get. The government will help many middle-class households pay their premiums, while low-income people will be referred to safety-net programs they might qualify for.

Most people will go online to pick a plan when open enrollment starts Oct. 1. Counselors will be available at call centers and in local communities, too. Some areas will get a storefront operation or kiosks at the mall. Translation to Spanish and other languages spoken by immigrants will be provided.

When you pick a plan, you'll no longer have to worry about getting turned down or charged more because of a medical problem. If you're a woman, you can't be charged a higher premium because of gender. Middle-aged people and those nearing retirement will get a price break: They can't be charged more than three times what younger customers pay, compared with six times or seven times today.

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Health care reform effort accelerating

It’s well past time to eliminate health care disparities

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A message to all physicians from AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, on the Associations efforts to address unequal care, from access to outcomes.

That cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in the U.S. is well-known. That minority populations are more at risk than English-speaking white populations at least in part because of disparities in health care is shameful.

We know there are disparities in care not only in cardiovascular disease, but also in asthma, diabetes, flu, infant mortality, cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic lower respiratory diseases, viral hepatitis, chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis, kidney disease, injury deaths, violence, behavioral health and oral health.

According to the latest National Healthcare Disparities Report, both health care quality and access in the U.S. are suboptimal, especially for racial and ethnic minorities and low-income groups. The report further notes that access to care is not improving for minority groups and that disparities are not diminishing. In fact, there are several areas where disparities are worsening over time between minorities and whites and between poor and high-income populations.

The Affordable Care Act has taken several major steps toward rectifying this disgraceful situation. It expands initiatives to increase diversity in the health care professions and strengthens cultural competency training. It makes improvements in preventive care and care coordination, and increases funding for community health centers. It ends insurance discrimination, and when health insurance exchanges are in place next year, everyone will have access to quality, affordable health insurance. In all, there are more than 60 provisions that could contribute toward ending disparities.

Outside Washington, a number of groups also are involved in trying to bring quality health care to underserved populations.

One of those groups is the Commission to End Health Care Disparities. I am looking forward to welcoming the commission to my hometown of Denver on March 22 and 23. This very significant meeting will focus on disparities in cardiovascular disease care, but it is a part of a much larger effort.

I am proud to be a member of the commissions governing secretariat, but I am also pleased to know that other forces within the AMA are also intent on ending disparities, beginning with the AMA Principles of Medical Ethics.

A year ago, the AMA adopted a three-part strategy that includes a commitment to improving health outcomes and with it, an equal commitment to ending disparities in care.

The AMAs current work toward ending disparities dates to 2000, when the Dept. of Health and Human Services launched a national effort called Healthy People 2010.

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It’s well past time to eliminate health care disparities

Health care at center of US Senate race

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As a growing field emerges in the race to fill Edward M. Kennedys US Senate seat, the white-hot debate over the nations health care system is already shaping up to be a defining issue in the Democratic primary campaign.

With three months to make their case to Massachusetts voters, the declared and prospective candidates are staking out varied positions at a time when President Obama is moving aggressively into the final stage of his push for a major health care overhaul - the most pressing issue facing Congress this year.

US Representative Michael Capuano, who plans to announce soon, expresses strong support for liberal priorities, including a so-called public option - a government insurance plan that would compete with the private sector - and a requirement that employers cover their workers.

Attorney General Martha Coakley, the first major contender to formally announce her candidacy for the Democratic primary, is standing behind a government insurance option while appearing to tread more cautiously on the question of an employer requirement, which could force employers over a certain size to offer health insurance to workers or face financial penalties.

The employer mandate has worked well in Massachusetts and I would support its consideration as part of a federal health care reform package, she said in a statement.

And US Representative Stephen Lynch is holding fast to his refusal to announce a position on either of those items, provoking continued anger from labor leaders who shunned him during a key Labor Day breakfast.

Lynchs wait-and-see stance suggests he may seek to position himself as the lone conservative in a crowded Dec. 8 Democratic primary - a move that could separate him from the pack. If he faces three or four contenders who divide the states liberal voters among themselves, Lynch could prevail by garnering most of the states moderate to conservative Democrats, including the so-called Reagan Democrats concentrated in his South Boston neighborhood.

If its a political strategy, thats it - being a little bit more conservative, said Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, which plans to hold a competitive endorsement process in the race. If he holds those positions, hes out of line with his union brothers and sisters.

Lynch, a onetime iron worker who plans to launch a bid for Kennedys seat any day, has had strong labor support in the past, but has often taken a more conservative approach than other members of the states congressional delegation on a variety of issues, including abortion rights, which he opposes, and a 2006 Republican resolution supporting President George W. Bushs policies in Iraq, which he supported. In a Globe interview, Lynch said there is nothing political about his decision to wait for a final health care bill to emerge from five House and Senate committees before taking a stand.

People are trying to get me to sign pledges, but because the situation is so fluid Ive been insisting on the right to see the legislation before I make a commitment, he said. I consider myself a common-sense Democrat and I think issues - especially big ones like this - require measured approaches to find the best solution.

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Health care at center of US Senate race

Zedd – Spectrum (Ft. Matthew Koma) FUTURISM TRAP EDIT + FLP FREE DOWNLOAD – Video

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Zedd - Spectrum (Ft. Matthew Koma) FUTURISM TRAP EDIT + FLP FREE DOWNLOAD
Here is an edit that we made for you guys, a TRAP FLP tutorial that you can download here : on.fb.me ** Unmastered ** - Nexus 2.2 - Sylenth 1 - Ozone iZotope 4 Don #39;t forget to subscribe, comment and share !! #9679; Like us on Facebook : fb.com #9679; Follow us on Twitter : twitter.com #9679; Follow us on Soundcloud : soundcloud.com #9679; Contact us : contact.futurism@gmail.com

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Zedd - Spectrum (Ft. Matthew Koma) FUTURISM TRAP EDIT + FLP FREE DOWNLOAD - Video

The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 3 of 3) – Video

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The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 3 of 3)
In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW #39;s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharya, Artist; Zafaryab Jilani, Convener of Muslim Reservation Movement; Dr. Tasleem Ahmed Rehmani, President, Muslim Political Council of India; Suhel Seth, Managing Partner Counselage; Farrukh Dhondy, Author; Sudhir Tailang, Cartoonist; Tushar Gandhi, Author Social Activist and Prof R Vaidyanathan, Professor, IIM Bangalore -- discuss the issue whether an average citizen #39;s freedom of expression is going to be the biggest casualty in a pre-election year

By: timesnowonline

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The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 3 of 3) - Video

The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 2 of 3) – Video

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The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 2 of 3)
In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW #39;s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharya, Artist; Zafaryab Jilani, Convener of Muslim Reservation Movement; Dr. Tasleem Ahmed Rehmani, President, Muslim Political Council of India; Suhel Seth, Managing Partner Counselage; Farrukh Dhondy, Author; Sudhir Tailang, Cartoonist; Tushar Gandhi, Author Social Activist and Prof R Vaidyanathan, Professor, IIM Bangalore -- discuss the issue whether an average citizen #39;s freedom of expression is going to be the biggest casualty in a pre-election year

By: timesnowonline

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The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 2 of 3) - Video

The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 1 of 3) – Video

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The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 1 of 3)
In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW #39;s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharya, Artist; Zafaryab Jilani, Convener of Muslim Reservation Movement; Dr. Tasleem Ahmed Rehmani, President, Muslim Political Council of India; Suhel Seth, Managing Partner Counselage; Farrukh Dhondy, Author; Sudhir Tailang, Cartoonist; Tushar Gandhi, Author Social Activist and Prof R Vaidyanathan, Professor, IIM Bangalore -- discuss the issue whether an average citizen #39;s freedom of expression is going to be the biggest casualty in a pre-election year

By: timesnowonline

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The Newshour Debate: Political interests taking over freedom of expression? (Part 1 of 3) - Video

Freedom Credit Union Now Available for Home Loans

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Its time to put the home equity that has built up to work and Freedom Credit Union is here to assist.

(PRWEB) January 31, 2013

With the ability to get a home loan in Montgomery County from Freedom Credit Union, Members can help pay for home improvements, assist with the financing of a childs education, help pay off some major expenses, or simply refinance. Along with this comes the ability to take high rate balances from any home equity loan or line, a credit card, or an auto loan and transfer that over into Freedom.

Freedom Credit Union also has the highest performance rating, 5 Stars, from the independent analysts at Bauer Financial. Freedom Credit union currently has $585 million in assets and more than 59,000 Members to date. Being a credit union in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties, lets people know that Freedom Credit Union is available for everybody in the area.

Credit unions exist to serve their Members, not to increase the bottom line. As not-for-profit cooperative institutions, Freedom Credit Union return their earnings to Members in the form of higher interest on deposits, lower loan rates, and fewer fees. Regardless of the amount Members have on deposit, they are a Member and an owner, with equal ownership and one vote. Members are never just numbers; their ownership empowers them and provides a voice.

About Freedom Credit Union:

Freedom Credit Union has been a trusted financial partner in the Philadelphia area since 1934. They are a not-for-profit organization offering better rates, lower fees, helpful service accompanied with expert advice. Membership is available for individuals as well as businesses and other organizations looking for a credit union in PA.

For more information regarding Freedom Credit Union visit https://www.freedomcu.org

Freedom Credit Union Freedom Credit Union 215-612-5900 Email Information

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Freedom Credit Union Now Available for Home Loans

Farrakhan on AIDS, Eugenics

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Farrakhan on AIDS, Eugenics Demographic Threat to White Supremacy
(NOI.org/TheTime) - Minister Farrakhan comments on policy discussions at the highest levels of US government aimed at the preservation of the planet #39;s resources for use by those whom they deemed to be desirable members of the population, as well as plans to deal with the demographic threat posed to white supremacy. The people and the resources in areas commonly referred to as the "Third World" would be targeted for population reduction. Minister Farrakhan #39;s comments were made during Part 4 of his weekly message, #39;The Time What Must Be Done #39; which is available in its entirety at http://www.noi.org

By: FCNN

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Farrakhan on AIDS, Eugenics

2013 Beaches

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2013 Beaches Reefs Contiki Day Song @ Dingo Bar - Don #39;t You Worry Child !
How happy were we to hear our Day Song @ Dingo Bar on Fraser Island?!?!?!?!? Miss you all! Trip of a lifetime - Eastern Australia, January 2013, Contiki Beaches Reefs Tour! Enjoy 😀

By: Sophia Dc

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2013 Beaches

Strong Rip Currents Hit Local Beaches

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Massive Waves Slam Into SD

Utah resident Leighann Gilson visited San Diego for Spring Break, but didn't expect the big waves to put a dent in her trip. Greg Bledsoe reports.

Strong rip currents and elevated surf slammed into beaches across San Diego County Sunday.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the hazardous rip currents will stick around through Monday morning thanks to a northwest swell generated over the western Pacific.

Surfing is possible during this time, but the NWS and local lifeguards urge surfers to take extra caution in the water.

The strong rip currents and elevated surf increase the danger to swimmers as well, so its important to pay attention to flags and signs posted on beaches by local lifeguards.

The NWS says waves are expected to reach four to six feet in San Diego County, with some wave sets reaching up to eight feet just south of Encinitas.

The persistent rip currents and high surf should decrease by Monday and Tuesday. The NWS says similar surf conditions may kick up again Friday. The elevated seas could cause some minor beach erosion, tidal overflow and minor coastal flooding.

Rip currents occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar, often near jetties and piers. If you become caught in a rip current, experts recommend swimming parallel to shore and not directly against the current, as this can quickly exhaust even the most experienced of swimmers.

On Sunday morning, San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum said no major incidents related to the local strong rip currents had yet been reported.

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Strong Rip Currents Hit Local Beaches

Northern Rivers beaches closed by debris

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Topics: far north coast surf life saving

BEACHES have been closed as debris from recent floods and rough surf has made many unsafe for swimming.

Far North Coast Surf Life Saving emergency services coordinator Jimmy Keough said Ballina Lighthouse Beach, Evans Head Beach and Yamba Beach had been shut, while club events at those and other beaches were cancelled or postponed at the weekend.

He expected Ballina and Evans Head to re-open early this week but said Yamba was likely to stay closed for "a durational period of time".

"A lot of debris from farms and other places has been washed into the water from flooding in the Clarence River," he said.

He urged people to take care while swimming at North Coast beaches this week.

"People should only swim at patrolled beaches because the conditions are dangerous and there's decreasing water clarity. The repercussions may be health related," he said.

Further north on Saturday, members of Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club were busy cleaning up five tonnes of sand which had been blown onto grass in front of the surf club by strong winds earlier in the week. "We've had to spread the sand out over the grass so it doesn't all come into the surf club," club president Craig Reid said.

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Northern Rivers beaches closed by debris

Quiet beaches, seashells on Sanibel Island

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Karen Schwartz, Associated Press Posted: Sunday, February 3, 2013, 3:01 AM

SANIBEL, Fla. - Visit the beaches on this Gulf Coast barrier island, and you're likely to see people doing the Sanibel Stoop. That's the term for the bent-at-the-waist posture of seashell collectors on Sanibel Island, which bills itself as one of the best shelling locations in the world.

The island also offers 15 miles of beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the country.

While other beach destinations in Florida might attract partying spring breakers or glamorous fashionistas, Sanibel proved to be the perfect spot for a family looking for a quiet beach retreat at the height of spring break revelry. What we didn't find was nightlife, high rises, chain stores, fast-food joints, traffic lights, or insects.

Even travel guru Arthur Frommer, who's seen more than a few beaches, has named it a favorite destination, calling it an "idyllic haven of white-sand beaches" with "thousands of birds of every species."

The first sign that we'd hit on something special came soon after we landed at the Fort Myers airport, where tourism kiosks handed out free pocket-sized Lonely Planet travel guides to the area.

The drive from the airport west to Sanibel generally takes less than an hour, but timing is everything. A toll bridge connects Sanibel to the mainland, and the morning rush hour heading on-island and evening rush hour heading off-island can add 45 minutes to the trip during high season, which begins mid-January and peaks mid-March through mid-April.

We stopped en route at one of the several Publix markets to stock up on groceries for our rented condo. But it turned out that two markets on the island, Jerry's Foods and Bailey's General Store, will deliver items ordered online to your rental for $25.

Groceries also proved largely unnecessary once we discovered the caliber of local restaurants and opted to eat out most evenings. Traders Cafe and Mad Hatter, both innovative and outstanding, took reservations. Others had "call-ahead seating" which put our name on a waiting list ahead of the walk-ins. The rest generally had a wait of up to 30 minutes.

With as many as 30,000 people on the island during high season, biking is the easiest way to get around. But here's a tip: Friends don't let friends ride at night without lights. Knowing that we'd be biking, we brought our helmets (required by law for children under 16), along with small headlights and taillights for our bikes. Even so, with no streetlights on the island and plenty of pedestrians and cyclists on the paths after dark, the trip home proved hairy.

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Quiet beaches, seashells on Sanibel Island

Beaches out of action as massive cleanup continues

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Topics: flooding, floods 2013, oswald, yamba

BEACHES close to the mouth of the Clarence River at Yamba will be no-go zones for swimmers for at least another week says Clarence Valley Council general manager Scott Greensill.

Mr Greensill, who was trapped in Yamba during the latest flood crisis, has been co-ordinating the council clean-up of the beaches, which began on Saturday morning.

He said Turners Beach had been cleared of rubbish, but Main, Convent and Pippi beaches were still covered by a carpet of debris.

He said there were logistical problems slowing the work at Main and Convent beaches.

"Because of the problems with access at Main Beach we can only use small trucks to carry debris away from the beach to a tree-refuse depot inland," Mr Greensill said.

"It might be two or three days before we get the beach back to the way it normally looks."

"At Convent Beach there is no vehicular access so were we're going to trial some methods for moving debris from there tomorrow." He said where the debris did not cause problems some of it might be left in place.

The beaches are likely to remain unsafe for swimmers after the debris is gone because of health risks.

"People need to remember the quality of the water is not going to be great for a while," he said.

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Beaches out of action as massive cleanup continues

Cosmic Fissure’s Beginners Guide to Astronomy! Episode 1 – Video

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Cosmic Fissure #39;s Beginners Guide to Astronomy! Episode 1
Welcome to episode 1 of Cosmic fissure #39;s Beginners guide to astronomy. In this episode we will be talking about what kind of telescope someone starting out in this wonderful hobby may be interested in looking at. We also talk about the different mounts that come with these telescopes. Stay tuned for episode 2, where we will be talking about how to start using your new telescope! Products mentioned: Celestron Skymaster 25x70 Binoculars: http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk Skywatcher Explorer 150P Newtonian telescope with EQ mount: http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk Skywatcher Skyliner 150P Dobsonian: http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk Music: Proton Kinoun - Peripheral System. All materials used are the property of their respective owners

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Cosmic Fissure's Beginners Guide to Astronomy! Episode 1 - Video