The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is campaigning to increase funding under the Older Americans Act (OAA) - by 12%. This act, dating back to 1965, provides food, jobs and care for America's seniors. One of its most well-known program is Meals on Wheels, a key program in enabling seniors to remain independent in their homes. Unfortunately, 85% of states report a wait list for Meals on Wheels.
Funding under the OAA has remained level for the past 8 years. You can read about all the important programs being targeted for increased funding (at the NCOA link, end of my post).
I'll focus briefly on just one of the programs which would personally and positively impact me and other caregivers to aging parents. The National Family Caregiver Support program (NFCSP), under Title IIIE of the OAA, provides "services to help ease the burdens of caregivers, including respite care, counseling and supplemental services".
Some of the interesting facts about family caregivers include:
* Family caregivers provide 80% of non-institutional long-term care.
* The typical caregiver is a 46 year old woman, providing 18 hours of care for her mother
* The value of family caregiving services is estimated at $257 billion per year
Those of us who are (or have been) caregivers to our elderly parents:
* help keep our parents in an independent living situation, and thus reduce nursing home and Medicaid costs (good)
* cost our employers in lost productivity (not good)
* and most importantly, often sacrifice our physical and mental health in meeting all the demands of caregiving (really not good!!!)
This program would provide much needed support services to the caregivers out there.
To read detail about this funding campaign by the NCOA:
National Council of Aging (NCOA) Overview of Appropriations
To advocate for this and/or contact your congressional representatives:
National Council of Aging (NCOA) Advocacy Center
Showing posts with label retirement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retirement. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
A day in the life of a volunteer at a nursing home
Wednesdays are my normal days to visit a local nursing home but this week, I ended up going today, Friday.
I often wish that more people would consider donating a couple hours in their week to go and visit with the elderly. For me, it feels like such a natural thing to do. As I approach the building, I really do look forward to seeing everyone, the receptionist, the director/chaplain and the lady I usually visit.
There's a different pace of life there. Yes, people move slowly with their walkers and wheelchairs. But, along with that, comes a patience and a calming atmosphere. There is no rushing. Everyone takes the time to smile, say hello and chat.
Today I arrived to find the lady I normally visit would be leading the monthly Resident Council meeting. She looked so very nice, said she was running a bit late and people would be waiting for her :-)
So, I sat and read to a lovely lady who is in end-stage Alzheimers. She was resting comfortably in a soft chair and she looked very intently at me as I read. Finally her husband came to visit at lunchtime. I'm told he comes everyday.
Being a part of this place for just two hours a week gives me an insight into what seems to be another world. These people are cared for with such love and they care for each other.
I wish everyone could experience the joy of serving at such a place.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Heat-seeking tool helps save lives of the elderly
Time is of the essence when firefighters respond to a fire and need to ensure they have retrieved everyone from a burning home or building, especially elderly or disabled persons.
Orangeburg, SC firefighters now have a new tool in saving lives.
They have a thermal imaging system based on infrared technology developed for the military. This handheld device can detect heat from any object within a distance of 300 yards.
This kind of range was not possible with older technology.
It can mean a matter of life and death for those elderly trapped by fire.
Yes, the units are expensive, $10,000 each. But,Orangeburg did not pay a cent for the unit. Local insurance broker Keith Hewitt made the donation from a fund aside to "give back to the community".
What a great win-win situation for the community of Orangeburg, SC!
Source: http://thetandd.com/articles/2009/02/10/news/13506731.txt
Monday, January 26, 2009
NCOA Succeeds in Adding Senior Priorities to Economic Stimulus Bill
When we hear the billions of dollars being requested in the Economic Stimulus package, we wonder just where will the money go? Read on to learn about specific senior issues that hopefully will receive much needed funding.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has added several Senior priorities to the Economic Stimulus package. Congress is scheduled to vote on the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" this week.
Jobs: An additional $120 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in order to create 24,000 jobs.
Senior Nutrition: An additional $200 million for senior nutrition programs (congregate and home-delivered meals)
Medicaid Temporary Increase: An additional $87 billion to increase the federal Medicaid match rate (FMAP)
Additional SSI Payment: An additional $4.2 billion for a one-time additional Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment (an average of $450 for an individual and $630 for a couple)
Prevention and Wellness Fund: An additional $3 billion to fight preventable chronic diseases, including $50 million for injury prevention
To read more detail about NCOA's request,
http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionID=65&detail=2714
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Top 10 list - moving into a retirement community
Here is my list of the top 10 changes I saw in Mom after she moved into a retirement community (Fairhaven, Sykesville, MD http://www.fairhavenccrc.org )
It seems like only yesterday, but Mom has now been in her new home/retirement community for 6 months!
For those of you (and your aging parents) who are considering the retirement community option, please read on... my top 10 list:
1. Mom ditched her walker and now enjoys walking with her friends. Not only is this great for her health but also for her spirit!
2. Her doctor has been able to cut back all her medications due to healthier eating, exercise and weight loss. Her doctor is thrilled that she has lost 40 (unhealthy) pounds and she is also proud of her appearance.
3. Mom enjoys and takes advantage of the wide variety of healthy and delicious food served in the dining rooms. They usually have her favorite dessert: sugar-free butter pecan ice cream. This puts a real smile on her face.
4. She proactively sought out the onsite nutritionist to understand what foods and how much she should eat, given her diabetes. In the past, my mother had been passive, letting life happen to her. This is a new and good change for her to start asking for things on her own.
5. She has access to many of her life-long doctors right on site; and the Wellness Center ensures she stays on track with all her check-ups. The only two things she goes off site for is mammogram and her specialist at Johns Hopkins. She likes having the convenience of on-site but also the need to go off-site sometimes.
6. Her mood and outlook on life have gone from sad to joyful. I can hear this even in her conversation. She used to speak in short phrases in a monotone. Now, she sounds like a different person. She articulates, is descriptive in her language and has the cutest lift in her voice.
7. Before moving to the retirement community, her network of friends had dwindled down to two dear ladies who had health problems themselves. She had been housebound due to health problems. Now she has a wonderful new group of friends, who truly look out for each other. She loves to tell me about conversations down in the laundry room...and how their floor has decided to sit together at the New Year's Eve dinner party. Yes, they plan to stay until midnight, partying!!!
8. Her view has now changed from being focused on her ailments to more of a world view. She'd much rather talk to me about the economy, politics or her new friends. She says she takes advantage of every lecture / performance that's offered. She was quite excited about seeing her first opera with sub-titles.
9. There is no longer a threat of her safety (of her falling in her home or on the ice as she walked to her mailbox). And, she feels so much more secure. A presentation was made last week, informing residents of what exactly happened if they had to be taken to the hospital. She said it took all the fear out of an unknown situation.
10. Mom feels respected and loved in a community of her peers. But, she still attends her church and stays in contact with friends, often attending outside lunch events with them. It is important to her to keep her feet in both worlds and stay connected with her community outside.
It seems like only yesterday, but Mom has now been in her new home/retirement community for 6 months!
For those of you (and your aging parents) who are considering the retirement community option, please read on... my top 10 list:
1. Mom ditched her walker and now enjoys walking with her friends. Not only is this great for her health but also for her spirit!
2. Her doctor has been able to cut back all her medications due to healthier eating, exercise and weight loss. Her doctor is thrilled that she has lost 40 (unhealthy) pounds and she is also proud of her appearance.
3. Mom enjoys and takes advantage of the wide variety of healthy and delicious food served in the dining rooms. They usually have her favorite dessert: sugar-free butter pecan ice cream. This puts a real smile on her face.
4. She proactively sought out the onsite nutritionist to understand what foods and how much she should eat, given her diabetes. In the past, my mother had been passive, letting life happen to her. This is a new and good change for her to start asking for things on her own.
5. She has access to many of her life-long doctors right on site; and the Wellness Center ensures she stays on track with all her check-ups. The only two things she goes off site for is mammogram and her specialist at Johns Hopkins. She likes having the convenience of on-site but also the need to go off-site sometimes.
6. Her mood and outlook on life have gone from sad to joyful. I can hear this even in her conversation. She used to speak in short phrases in a monotone. Now, she sounds like a different person. She articulates, is descriptive in her language and has the cutest lift in her voice.
7. Before moving to the retirement community, her network of friends had dwindled down to two dear ladies who had health problems themselves. She had been housebound due to health problems. Now she has a wonderful new group of friends, who truly look out for each other. She loves to tell me about conversations down in the laundry room...and how their floor has decided to sit together at the New Year's Eve dinner party. Yes, they plan to stay until midnight, partying!!!
8. Her view has now changed from being focused on her ailments to more of a world view. She'd much rather talk to me about the economy, politics or her new friends. She says she takes advantage of every lecture / performance that's offered. She was quite excited about seeing her first opera with sub-titles.
9. There is no longer a threat of her safety (of her falling in her home or on the ice as she walked to her mailbox). And, she feels so much more secure. A presentation was made last week, informing residents of what exactly happened if they had to be taken to the hospital. She said it took all the fear out of an unknown situation.
10. Mom feels respected and loved in a community of her peers. But, she still attends her church and stays in contact with friends, often attending outside lunch events with them. It is important to her to keep her feet in both worlds and stay connected with her community outside.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Help your aging parents choose options before crisis strikes
I have read many emails recently in which daughters and sons are trying desperately to find and afford a quality retirement community for their elderly parents. The stories are heart-wrenching. For many, their parents have fallen into frail health; many are at the end of their funds. Options are extremely limited. Everyone struggles and suffers.
So, for all the baby boomers out there, READ THIS!!!
Prepare yourself with education and communication, before your parents encounter a crisis situation. Similar to the way in which you research(ed) all the issues surrounding your children's selection/choice of college, use due diligence as you "partner" with your parents in researching options for their retirement. Bring the issues out in the open, talk about their preferences and perceptions. Oftentimes, we take myth to be fact without investigating. My mother believed she would have to turn over all her money and personal belongings to the retirement community. This is absolutely NOT true.
Yes, our lives are extremely busy. But, when a crisis situation with a parent hits, you will have to act decisively in the best interest of your parent. Know that it will likely be an emotional and exhausting time for everyone involved.
Fortunately my mother recovered from her health crisis last March but we continued to pursue a retirement community option for her. We sat down and talked about how the next crisis might actually prevent her from passing the required physical and psychological exams for getting into independent living in the place of her choice. Facing realism is hard. This is not easy territory to traverse. I helped Mom by listing the pros, the cons and all the factors on a sheet of paper. This helped us take the emotion out of it. We made ourselves think long-term.
So educate yourself now!!
One big lesson we learned was about "Continuing Care Retirement Communities". If at all possible, seek this out. It is a retirement community for the remainder of one's life, with a choice of services and living situations. Residents can move between independent living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Home care. Your parent would sign a long-term contract that provides for housing, services and nursing care, all in one location. My mother purchased her apartment and her monthly fee will never change (except for small inflation increase) regardless of how much care she needs. She retained total control of all her assets. If she runs out of funds after her life expectancy age is reached, an endowment established by her retirement community will cover all her needs.
The real benefit of a place such as this is that it becomes a wonderful network of support with other residents, extended families of residents and all the staff. Her contract is all-inclusive, including all her meals, medical appointments, cleaning services, etc. My mother calls me every day to share upcoming afternoon and evening activities. She sits in on board meetings and reaches out to other residents in need. It is truly amazing to see her strength and spirit restored.
In looking for a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community), look for these things:
1. Find out if the CCCR is accredited by CARF
2. Seek to understand the community's mission
3. Determine if the community will meet your lifestyle and financial situation
4. See if you can spend a night and a day at the site and fully participate in all activities, meals
When you visit, check these things out
1. If your parent has a pet, will it be allowed (my mother loves the many cats and dogs that people have)
2. What kinds of social, cultural activities are offered? Is there bus service to local spots, such as malls, churches, theater?
3. Does your parent like the food? (take advantage of the "free" complimentary meals as you visit these communities)
4. Is the staff responsive and friendly? At my mother's community, every staff member knows every resident's name and addresses each resident. This means so much to my mother.
5. What types of health care services are available on site?
I always felt a sense of joy watching our children launch their careers and raise their families. I get a similar sense of joy now watching my mother "grow and flourish" in her new home. What a legacy we can all leave as our parents age!
So, for all the baby boomers out there, READ THIS!!!
Prepare yourself with education and communication, before your parents encounter a crisis situation. Similar to the way in which you research(ed) all the issues surrounding your children's selection/choice of college, use due diligence as you "partner" with your parents in researching options for their retirement. Bring the issues out in the open, talk about their preferences and perceptions. Oftentimes, we take myth to be fact without investigating. My mother believed she would have to turn over all her money and personal belongings to the retirement community. This is absolutely NOT true.
Yes, our lives are extremely busy. But, when a crisis situation with a parent hits, you will have to act decisively in the best interest of your parent. Know that it will likely be an emotional and exhausting time for everyone involved.
Fortunately my mother recovered from her health crisis last March but we continued to pursue a retirement community option for her. We sat down and talked about how the next crisis might actually prevent her from passing the required physical and psychological exams for getting into independent living in the place of her choice. Facing realism is hard. This is not easy territory to traverse. I helped Mom by listing the pros, the cons and all the factors on a sheet of paper. This helped us take the emotion out of it. We made ourselves think long-term.
So educate yourself now!!
One big lesson we learned was about "Continuing Care Retirement Communities". If at all possible, seek this out. It is a retirement community for the remainder of one's life, with a choice of services and living situations. Residents can move between independent living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Home care. Your parent would sign a long-term contract that provides for housing, services and nursing care, all in one location. My mother purchased her apartment and her monthly fee will never change (except for small inflation increase) regardless of how much care she needs. She retained total control of all her assets. If she runs out of funds after her life expectancy age is reached, an endowment established by her retirement community will cover all her needs.
The real benefit of a place such as this is that it becomes a wonderful network of support with other residents, extended families of residents and all the staff. Her contract is all-inclusive, including all her meals, medical appointments, cleaning services, etc. My mother calls me every day to share upcoming afternoon and evening activities. She sits in on board meetings and reaches out to other residents in need. It is truly amazing to see her strength and spirit restored.
In looking for a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community), look for these things:
1. Find out if the CCCR is accredited by CARF
2. Seek to understand the community's mission
3. Determine if the community will meet your lifestyle and financial situation
4. See if you can spend a night and a day at the site and fully participate in all activities, meals
When you visit, check these things out
1. If your parent has a pet, will it be allowed (my mother loves the many cats and dogs that people have)
2. What kinds of social, cultural activities are offered? Is there bus service to local spots, such as malls, churches, theater?
3. Does your parent like the food? (take advantage of the "free" complimentary meals as you visit these communities)
4. Is the staff responsive and friendly? At my mother's community, every staff member knows every resident's name and addresses each resident. This means so much to my mother.
5. What types of health care services are available on site?
I always felt a sense of joy watching our children launch their careers and raise their families. I get a similar sense of joy now watching my mother "grow and flourish" in her new home. What a legacy we can all leave as our parents age!
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